An object of mass (m) is traveling on a horizontal surface. There is a coefficient of kinetic friction (u) between the object and the surface. The object has speed (v) when it reaches x=0 and encounters a spring. The object compresses the spring, stops, and then recoils and travels in the opposite direction. When the object reaches x=0 on its return trip, it stops.
Find (k), the spring constant.
Express (k) in terms of (u), (m), (v), and (g).
2006-12-04 07:31:20 · 2 answers · asked by Mich W 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
This is an energy balance problem. Your initial energy is 1/2mv^2 and this is going to be equal to the energy of the spring compression (1/2kx^2) and the total energy of the friction.
Set up your equation to balance the energy and crank out the terms with a little high school algebra.
2006-12-04 07:36:03 · answer #1 · answered by www.HaysEngineering.com 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your professor should be shot. Preferably out of a cannon with a large spring and a low frictional coefficient.
2006-12-04 07:36:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋