An ice cube of mass 50.0 g can slide without friction up and down a 25.0 degree

Question

An ice cube of mass 50.0 g can slide without friction up and down a 25.0 degree slope. The ice cube is pressed against a spring at the bottom of the slope, compressing the spring 0.100 m . The spring constant is 25.0 N/m . When the ice cube is released, how far will it travel up the slope before reversing direction?

Part D

Identify the initial and final gravitational potential energies.

Enter your answers, separated by a comma, in terms of some or all of the variables m, k, x, d, ,and the acceleration due to gravity, g.

Part E

Identify the initial and final elastic potential energies.

Enter your answers, separated by a comma, in terms of some or all of the variables m, k, x, d, ,and the acceleration due to gravity, g.

Explanation / Answer

If we set 0 GPE at max spring compression, then

total E = U = ½kx² = ½ * 25N/m * (0.1m)² = 0.125 J

At max height,

GPE = 0.125 J = mgh = 0.05kg * 9.8m/s² * h

h = 0.255 m

Along the slope, that's a distance of d = 0.255m / sin25º

d = 0.604 m

It's possible they want the distance from the end of the spring -- that's 0.504 m

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.