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05.3 Consider a 2.0 kg mass on a spring on a horizontal surface. The spring has

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Question

05.3 Consider a 2.0 kg mass on a spring on a horizontal surface. The spring has spring constant 36 N/m. The static coefficient of friction between the mass and the surface is µS = 0.30 and the kinetic coefficient of friction is µK = 0.20.

(a) What is the largest extension x0 of the spring such that the mass is held in place by friction?

(b) If the mass is at x0 = 10 cm and given a short push so that its initial velocity is 1.2 m/s to the left, use energy considerations to determine where the mass first comes to a stop.

Explanation / Answer

a)

spring force = static frictional force

k Xo = µS Fn

k Xo = µS mg                      since Fn = mg

36 Xo = (0.3) (2) (9.8)

Xo = 0.163 m

b)

Vo = initial velocity = 1.2 m/s

Xo = initioal extension = 10 cm = 0.10 m

W = work done by friction = fk d

Using conservation of energy

initial KE + initial spring energy = work done by friction + final spring energy

(0.5) m Vo2 + (0.5) k Xo2 = µK mg d + (0.5) k d2

(0.5) (2) (1.2)2 + (0.5) (36) (0.10)2 = (0.20) (2) (9.8) d + (0.5) (36) d2

d = 0.21 m