Is this $W_{r} = \frac{1}{2}kx^2 $ procedure correct [closed]

Question

I have a $0.40 Kg$ of mass that has $v= 0.5 m/s$, and then crashes with a spring with constant $k = 750N/m$

Whats the distance that the spring was compressed?

I was using the equation $W_{r} = \frac{1}{2}kx^2 $

so

$\frac{1}{2}(0.4)(0.5*0.5) = \frac{1}{2}(750)(x^2)$

so $x = 0.011 m$

Is this correct? what is the solution?

Hi cMinor - generally we discourage questions that just ask for someone to check your work. Once you have identified the specific concept that you're not sure about, that's the point at which it's appropriate to ask a question here.

levitopher · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-28 19:23:18Z

up vote 1 down vote accepted

EDIT: Corrected by using a real calculator instead of my brain:

Assuming a "resort" is a "spring" then your method is correct (conservation of energy); I get $x=0.0115 m$ as my answer.

edited Nov 28 '12 at 19:23

answered Nov 28 '12 at 19:13

levitopher
849112

	Could you please write down your computations? I do not know where I am wrong – cMinor Nov 28 '12 at 19:16
	i.e. you are correct, I just can't take square roots with my head very well :-P – levitopher Nov 28 '12 at 19:24

closed as too localized by David Zaslavsky♦ Nov 28 '12 at 20:12