A block of mass kg is connected to a spring of unknown spring constant

PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics

Problem

A block of mass

m = 0.1

kg is connected to a spring of unknown spring constant

k

. It is compressed to a distance

x

from its equilibrium position and released from rest. After approaching half the distance

\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)

from the equilibrium position, it hits another block and comes to rest momentarily, while the other block moves with a velocity

3\ \text{m s}^{-1}

. Find the total initial energy of the spring. (1) 0.3 J (2) 0.6 J (3) 0.8 J (4) 1.5 J