A horizontal spring with force constant is fixed to a rigid wall in a physics laboratory
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Work, Energy and Power · Work, Energy and Power
Problem
A horizontal spring with force constant k=4.0×102Nm−1 is fixed to a rigid wall in a physics laboratory. A 0.50kg block is pushed directly toward the wall, compressing the spring until the system stores 8.0J of elastic potential energy relative to the un-stretched position.
Assume all contact surfaces are frictionless and air resistance is negligible.
(a) Calculate the magnitude of the spring’s compression Δx that corresponds to the stated stored energy.
(b) The block is released from rest at the compressed position and travels along a frictionless guide so that its center of mass moves vertically upward after losing contact with the spring. Determine the maximum vertical height Δy the block’s center of mass can reach above the release point before coming momentarily to rest.
(c) Suppose the energy stored in the spring were instead stated to two significant figures as 8.0J. Explain how many significant figures your answers to parts (a) and (b) should contain, and justify your choice.