An object of mass M = 3.5 kg slides from rest a distance d = 6 m down a frictionless inclined plane where it encounters a spring. It compresses the spring a distance D = 1.3 m before stopping. The inclined plane makes an angle q = 35° with the horizontal.
a) When the block just touches the spring, how much gravitational potential energy has it lost? Give your answer as a positive number.
b) After the mass has fully compressed the spring, what is its total loss of gravitational potential energy? Give your answer as a postive number.
c) What is the value of the spring constant?