In: Physics
A wooden block of mass 20.0 g is placed on a table, and pressed against a spring. The spring, of spring constant 25.0 N/m, is compressed 10.0 cm. Once released, the block slides (with friction) across the tabletop and eventually lands 1.59 m from the edge of the table on the floor, as shown in the figure. The tabletop is 1.00 m above the floor level.
What is the speed of the block at the moment it leaves the tabletop? Assume air drag is negligible.
How much mechanical energy is lost from the block-spring system during the sliding motion? Give energy lost as a positive value.
Table top is at a height of above the floor.
Time taken for the block to reach the floor from table top is
With this time the block moves a horizontal distance
that is
speed of block at the moment it leaves the tabletop is
Initially potential energy of the spring when it is compressed is
Kinetic energy of the block when it is about to fly off the table top is
Mechanical energy lost from the block-spring system during slideing motion is