In: Physics
A 12,000 N car starts from rest and rolls down a hill from a height of 10.0 m (see figure). It then moves across a level surface and collides with a light spring-loaded guardrail.
(a) Neglecting any losses due to friction, and ignoring the
rotational kinetic energy of the wheels, find the maximum distance
the spring is compressed. Assume a spring constant of
1.2 106 N/m.
? m
(b) Calculate the maximum acceleration of the car after contact
with the spring, assuming no frictional losses.
? m/s2
(c) If the spring is compressed by only 0.30 m, find the change in
the mechanical energy due to friction.
? J