A 13.2-kg block rests on a horizontal table and is attached to one end of a mass

Question

A 13.2-kg block rests on a horizontal table and is attached to one end of a massless, horizontal spring. By pulling horizontally on the other end of the spring, someone causes the block to accelerate uniformly and reach a speed of 4.17 m/s in 1.01 s. In the process, the spring is stretched by 0.162 m. The block is then pulled at a constant speed of 4.17 m/s, during which time the spring is stretched by only 0.0589 m. Find (a) the spring constant of the spring and (b) the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the table.

Explanation / Answer

1/2 k x1^2 = u m g      force required to pull block at constant speed

1/2 k x2^2 = m a + u m g   force required to accelerate block with a

(x2 / x1)^2 = (a + u g) / (u g)    dividing equations

u = a / [g * ((x2 / x1)^2 - 1)]

a = 4.17 / 1.01 = 4.13 m/s^2

Now substitute x2 = .162 and x1 = .0589 to calculate u

Then substitute into the first equation to calculate k

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