A spring with a constant of #3 (kg)/s^2# is lying on the ground with one end attached to a wall. An object with a mass of #3 kg# and speed of #1 m/s# collides with and compresses the spring until it stops moving. How much will the spring compress?

1 Answer
Feb 15, 2016

#Delta x=1m#

Explanation:

#"the Kinetic Energy of an object that has a mass of m and velocity of v is given by:"#
#E_k=1/2.m.v^2#
#E_k=1/2*3*1^2=1/2 *3J#
#E_p=E_k#
#"it will gain a potential energy if spring compresses"#
#E_p = 1/2.k. Delta x^2#
#cancel(1/2) 3* Delta x^2=cancel(1/2) *3#
#Delta x^2=1#
#Delta x=1m#