A 5.0-kg blob of putty is dropped from a height of 10.0 m above the ground onto a light vertical spring the top of which is 5.0 m above the ground. If the spring constant k = 200 N/m and the blob compresses the spring by 1.50 m, then find the amount of energy lost in sound and thermal energy.
A) 20.0 J
B) 169 J
C) 266 J
D) 438 J
E) 94.0 J

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The initial potential energy is mgh = 5.0 kg * 9.8 m/s² * 10.0 m = 490 J. The final energy stored in the spring is (1/2)kx² = 0.5 * 200 N/m * (1.5 m)² = 225 J. The energy lost is the difference: 490 J - 225 J = 265 J. However, the blob also has kinetic energy when it hits the spring, so the energy lost in sound and thermal energy is 94 J.

A 50-Kg Blob of Putty Is Dropped from a Height of of 10.0