How do I find the final velocity?

Question

I'm having trouble with this question:

A spring with a spring-constant of 2.5N/cm is compressed 26 cm and released. The 2 kg mass skids down the frictional incline of height 12 cm and inclined at a 24 degree angle. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s^2. The path is frictionless except for a distance of 0.5 m along the incline which has a coefficient of friction of 0.5. What is the final velocity of the mass?

Answer 1

This is easiest to solve using conservation of energy. The potential energy is initially stored in two forms, the spring and height (gravity). The energy in the spring is 0.5kx^2 (k=2.5N/cm, x=26cm), and the energy stored in height is mgh (m=2kg, g=9.8m/s^2, h=12cm). So calculate the total potential energy, all of which is converted to kinetic energy, which is 0.5mv^2. You can then solve for v. Make sure to convert the cm to m so that the units work out.
With this approach you don't need to worry about the angle of the incline or the distance that the mass moves sideways.

Answer 2

Velocity is a "vector quantity" which refers to the rate an object CHANGES its position.
A spring results in "zero velocity"..because.. the spring returns to it's original position. (no constant change)

A "scalar quantity" which refers to how fast an object is moving, is known as "speed". (action of spring)

The spring has speed with no direction.