A 1.59 kg block slides on a frictionless, horizontal surface with an speed of 1.54 m/sec. The block encounters an unstretched spring with a spring constant of 295 N/m.
a) What is the initial kinetic energy of the block before it hits the spring?
b) What is the potential energy of the mass and spring system when the spring is at its point of maximum compression?
c) How far is the spring compress before the block comes to rest?
d) If the mass and block were to oscillate, what would be the period of the oscillation?
e) How long is the block in contact with the spring before it comes to rest?