A 5.6-kg mass is held 5 cm above the end of a vertically oriented linear spring ( $k = 1200$ N/m). The mass is released. The maximum distance that the spring is compressed by the mass is

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The potential energy due to gravity (mgh) is converted into the elastic potential energy of the spring ($ \frac{1}{2} k x^2 $). Solving $ mgh = \frac{1}{2} k x^2 $ for x gives the maximum compression.

A 56-Kg Mass Is Held 5 Cm Above the End of of a Vertically