A horizontal spring with force constant is attached to a wall
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A horizontal spring with force constant k=250N⋅m−1 is attached to a wall. A 0.50kg block resting against the spring is slowly pushed inward until the spring is compressed 0.12m from its relaxed length. Friction is negligible.
(a) Calculate the magnitude of the work done on the block–spring system by the external agent that compresses the spring.
(b) Determine the corresponding change in the elastic potential energy stored in the spring.
(c) After the external agent releases the block from rest at the point of maximum compression, find the block’s speed as it first passes through the spring’s relaxed (equilibrium) position.