A wooden block is held above the free (upper) end of a vertical light spring fixed on…
PHYSICS · Subjective · CBSE · Physics · Work, Energy and Power · Work, Energy and Power
Problem
A 3.0kg wooden block is held 1.2m above the free (upper) end of a vertical light spring fixed on the floor. The spring has a force constant of 500N/m and is initially at its natural length. The block is released from rest and moves down, compressing the spring.
(i) Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the block with respect to the top of the uncompressed spring just before release.
(ii) Assuming no energy is lost to the surroundings, determine the maximum compression of the spring when the block momentarily comes to rest.
(iii) Find the total potential energy (gravitational plus elastic) of the combined system at the instant of maximum compression, taking the top of the uncompressed spring as the reference level for zero potential energy.