A blob of clay,mass M,is dropped onto a spring from a height h above the end of the spring.If the spring compresses an amount d as the blob comes to rest,what is the spring constant? A) 2mgh/d² B) mgh/d² C) mg(h+d)/d² D) 2mg(h+d)/d²

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The potential energy from the height (mgh) and the additional potential energy from the spring compression (mgd) are converted into the spring's potential energy (1/2)kd^2. Solving for k gives k = 2mg(h+d)/d^2.

A Blob of Clay,mass M,is Dropped onto a Spring from a Height