Aspring is used to stop a 50-kg package which is moving down a 20º incline. the spring has a constant k = 30 kn/m and is held by cables so that it is initially compressed 50 mm. knowing that the velocity of the package is 2 m/s when it is 8 m from the spring and neglecting friction, determine the maximum additional deformation of the spring in bringing the package to rest.

0.3 m

Explanation:

Initially, the package has both gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.  The spring has elastic energy.  After the package is brought to rest, all the energy is stored in the spring.

Initial energy = final energy

mgh + ½ mv² + ½ kx₁² = ½ kx₂²

Given:

m = 50 kg

g = 9.8 m/s²

h = 8 sin 20º m

v = 2 m/s

k = 30000 N/m

x₁ = 0.05 m

(50)(9.8)(8 sin 20) + ½ (50)(2)² + ½ (30000)(0.05)² = ½ (30000)x₂²

x₂ ≈ 0.314 m

So the spring is compressed 0.314 m from it's natural length.  However, we're asked to find the additional deformation from the original 50mm.

x₂ − x₁

0.314 m − 0.05 m

0.264 m

Rounding to 1 sig-fig, the spring is compressed an additional 0.3 meters.

some think that theories become laws, but theories and laws have separate and distinct roles in the scientific method. a law is a description of an observed phenomenon in the natural world that hold true every time it is tested. it doesn't explain why something is true; it just states that it is true.