Question

A spring with a constant of `5 (kg)/s^2` is lying on the ground with one end attached to a wall. An object with a mass of `6 kg` and speed of `12 m/s` collides with and compresses the spring until it stops moving. How much will the spring compress?

Answer 1

12m

Explanation:

We can use conservation of energy.

Initially;

Kinetic energy of the mass : `1/2mv^2 = 1/2 *6*12^2 J`

Finally:

Kinetic energy of the mass : 0

Potential energy : `1/2kx^2 = 1/2 *(5 (kg)/s^2) x^2`

equating, we get :

`1/2 *6*12^2 J= 1/2 *(5 (kg)/s^2) x^2 => x~~12m`

*I would be so happy if `k` and `m` were the same.