Ablock of mass m=0.4 kg starts from rest and slides down a frictionless ramp, before hitting a spring of spring constant k = 300 n/m placed on a horizontal surface. when the block is at the height of 1.5m above the ground, its velocity is 2m/s. what is the maximum compression of the spring? take g=9.8 m/s^2.

Maximum spring compression is 0.21 m

Solution:

As per the question:

Mass of the block, M = 0.4 kg

Spring constant, k = 300 N/m

Height of the block, h = 1.5 m

Velocity of the block, v = 2 m/s

Now,

By conservation of energy:

                  (1)

where

PE = Potential energy = Mgh

KE = Kinetic Energy =

= energy in the spring

Now, using eqn (1) to calculate maximum compression 'x' of the spring:

x = 0.21 m

air exerts forces on falling objects near earth’s surface.

explanation:

the term 'free falls' refer to object that are falling towards the earth, in a situation in which gravity is the only force acting on the object.

for an object in free fall, the acceleration is constant (g, the gravitational acceleration), and so the velocity of the object constantly increases.

for objects near earth's surface, there is always another force acting on the object: the resistance due to the air. this force is opposed to the direction of fall of the object, and it is proportional to the velocity of the object, so as the object falls down, this force increases up to a point when it balances the force of gravity, and the object continues its motion at constant velocity (called terminal velocity). since in this case gravity is not the only force acting on the object, we are not in a situation of free fall.

amplitude

hope this