A spring is used to launch a block up a frictionless ramp as shown at right. At

Question

A spring is used to launch a block up a frictionless ramp as shown at right. At time t_1, the spring is compressed and the block is released from point A. The block moves up the ramp, losing contact with the spring at point B. When it passes point C, the block has a velocity upsilon_C directed up the ramp. Imagine a system that includes the block and possibly one or more additional objects. a. Is it possible to choose a system whose total energy is constant during the interval from t_1 to t_2? If so, state which object(s) must be included in the system. explain. b. Is it possible to choose a system so that the energy is not constant during the interval from t_1 to t_2? If so, what is the system containing the fewest possible objects for which the energy is not constant during this interval? Explain.

Explanation / Answer

a. The total energy is constant for the spring + block system. Initially the entire energy was stored as elastic potential energy of the spring. Finally this energy is converted into both Kinetic and potential energy of the block.

b. The system which has only spring doesnt have its energy constant.

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