A 500000g roller coaster car trayeling at 30 m/s is stopped by a spring with a spring constant of 60,000 N/m. By how much does the spring compress in stopping the car?

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Topic Video
Question
Please show work thank you very much
**Question 2:**

A 50,000 g roller coaster car traveling at 30 m/s is stopped by a spring with a spring constant of 60,000 N/m. By how much does the spring compress in stopping the car?

**Explanation:**

To find out how much the spring compresses, we need to use the concept of energy conservation. The kinetic energy of the moving roller coaster car is converted into potential energy stored in the compression of the spring.

**Given Data:**

- Mass of the car, \( m = 50,000 \, \text{g} = 50 \, \text{kg} \) (since 1 kg = 1000 g)
- Velocity, \( v = 30 \, \text{m/s} \)
- Spring constant, \( k = 60,000 \, \text{N/m} \)

**Calculations:**

1. **Kinetic Energy (KE)**: 
   \[
   KE = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 50 \times 30^2
   \]

2. **Potential Energy (PE) in the spring**: 
   \[
   PE = \frac{1}{2} k x^2
   \]

By the conservation of energy:
\[
KE = PE
\]

So,
\[
\frac{1}{2} \times 50 \times 30^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 60,000 \times x^2
\]

Solving for \( x \) gives the compression of the spring.
Transcribed Image Text:**Question 2:** A 50,000 g roller coaster car traveling at 30 m/s is stopped by a spring with a spring constant of 60,000 N/m. By how much does the spring compress in stopping the car? **Explanation:** To find out how much the spring compresses, we need to use the concept of energy conservation. The kinetic energy of the moving roller coaster car is converted into potential energy stored in the compression of the spring. **Given Data:** - Mass of the car, \( m = 50,000 \, \text{g} = 50 \, \text{kg} \) (since 1 kg = 1000 g) - Velocity, \( v = 30 \, \text{m/s} \) - Spring constant, \( k = 60,000 \, \text{N/m} \) **Calculations:** 1. **Kinetic Energy (KE)**: \[ KE = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 50 \times 30^2 \] 2. **Potential Energy (PE) in the spring**: \[ PE = \frac{1}{2} k x^2 \] By the conservation of energy: \[ KE = PE \] So, \[ \frac{1}{2} \times 50 \times 30^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 60,000 \times x^2 \] Solving for \( x \) gives the compression of the spring.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Kinetic energy
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics (14th Edition)
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:
9780321820464
Author:
Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina Brissenden
Publisher:
Addison-Wesley
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
Physics
ISBN:
9780134609034
Author:
Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart Field
Publisher:
PEARSON