A cart is attached to a light horizontal spring of force constant
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A 0.50kg cart is attached to a light horizontal spring of force constant 40Nm−1. The cart is pulled to the right until the spring is stretched 0.20m from equilibrium, then released from rest and allowed to oscillate freely.
(a) Calculate the speed of the cart at the instant when the spring is stretched only 0.10m. Show all work and include appropriate units.
(b) Determine the kinetic energy and the elastic potential energy of the cart–spring system at that same instant.
(c) Identify the position(s) where the cart attains its maximum speed, and state the numerical value of that maximum speed.