Consider a spring with a force constant of 965 N/m. Suppose the mass of the block is 1.70 kg, but its initial speed can be varied. What initial speed is required to give a maximum spring compression of 3.70 cm.

Answer: 0.88 m/s

Explanation:

given

Force constant of the spring, k = 965 N/m

Compression of the spring, x = 3.7 cm = 0.037m

Mass of the block, m = 1.7 kg

To solve this, we would be using law of conservation of energy, where initial energy is all kinetic and elastic energy is elastic but potential.

E (f) = E (i)

1/2kx² = 1/2mv²

kx² = mv²

965 * 0.037² = 1.7 * v²

1.321 = 1.7 v²

v² = 1.321 / 1.7

v² = 0.777

v = 0.88 m/s

Thus, the initial speed of the block is v = 0.88 m/s