A block of mass 0.0340 kg is connected to a spring on a horizontal, frictionless surface. The block is pulled 0.0400 m to the right of its equilibrium position and released. The frequency of oscillation is observed to be 15.0 Hz.
(a) Calculate the spring constant.
(b) Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of the block. HINT: First find the maximum speed of the block.
(c) What is the position (x) of the block when it has its maximum speed? (HINT: You probably don't need to do a calculation. Where is the block when it has its maximum speed?)
(d) What is the spring (elastic) potential energy of the block when it has its greatest kinetic energy?
(e) What is the total energy of the block? Remember that the total energy is conserved, so if you know KE + SPE at any location, you know the total energy.
(f) What is the SPE of the block when it is 0.02 m to the right of its equilibrium position?
(g) What is the KE of the block when it is 0.02 m to the right of its equilibrium position?
(h) What is the velocity of the block when it is 0.02 m to the right of its equilibrium position?
(i) Why does the answer to (d) include a ± A) the spring constant can be positive or negative B) The total system energy can be positive or negative. C) The Block can be moving to the left or the right