A block of mass m = 5.5 kg is released from rest at a height of H = 3.0 m on a curved frictionless ramp. At the foot of the ramp is a spring whose spring constant is k = 200.0 N/m. What is the maximum compression of the spring, x?

1.27 m


After the spring reaches its maximum compression, it pushes the block backwards. What is the maximum height reached by the block?

A block of mass m = 5.5 kg is released from rest at a height of H = 3.0 m on a curved frictionless ramp. At the foot of the ramp is a spring whose spring constant is k = 200.0 N/m. What is the maximum compression of the spring, x?

1.27 m

Correct!


After the spring reaches its maximum compression, it pushes the block backwards. What is the maximum height reached by the block?

Think about conservation of energy - the initial potential energy of the block initially at a height of 3m is converted to kinetic energy as it falls, then to potential energy to compress the spring. That same amount of energy then gets converted back to kinetic and finally potential energy against gravity. If energy is conserved through each of these transitions, how high up the ramp against gravity will it go?