A wooden block of mass is gently placed at a height directly above the free upper end…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A wooden block of mass m is gently placed at a height h directly above the free upper end of a light vertical spring of force constant k fixed on the floor. The block is then released from rest and finally comes to instantaneous rest after compressing the spring.
Answer the following questions related to the energy changes involved in the process (assume no energy losses):
(i) Identify the forms of mechanical energy present at (a) the instant of release, (b) the instant of maximum compression.
(ii) Explain, without doing any algebraic calculation, how the principle of conservation of mechanical energy applies between the two instants mentioned in part (i).
(iii) State what happens to the kinetic energy of the block during its motion and justify your answer qualitatively.