A vertical spring of force constant is attached rigidly to the floor
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A vertical spring of force constant 400Nm−1 is attached rigidly to the floor. The upper end of the spring is at its natural length position just touching the lower face of a block.
Answer the following:
(i) The block is slowly pushed down so that the spring stores 2.0J of elastic potential energy. Determine the magnitude of the compression produced.
(ii) The block (mass 0.50kg) is now released from rest at a certain height above the uncompressed spring and sticks to the spring without rebounding. Neglecting all forms of energy loss, from what height should the block be released so that the maximum compression equals the value obtained in part (i)?