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Spring and Rough Incline

A block of mass $M = 1$ kg is propelled by a spring with spring constant $k = 10$ N/m onto a smooth (frictionless) track. The spring is initially compressed a distance of 0.5m from its equilibrium configuration ( $x_i - x_0 = 0.5$ m). At the end of the track there is a rough inclined plane at an angle of 45$\circ$ with respect to the horizontal and with a coefficient of kinetic friction $\mu_k = 0.5$.

a) How far up the incline will the block slide before coming to rest (find $H_f$)?

b) The coefficient of static friction is $\mu_s = 0.7$. Will the block remain at rest on the incline? If not, how fast will it be going when it reaches the bottom again?



Robert G. Brown 2000-12-09