A block with mass of 0.5 kg is forced against a horizontal spring of negligible mass. compressing the spring a distance of 0.20m. When released, the block moves on a horizontal tabletop for 1 meter before coming to rest. The spring constant is 100N/m. What is the coefficient of friction between the block and the tabletop??

Question

A block with mass of 0.5 kg is forced against a horizontal spring of negligible mass. compressing the spring a distance of 0.20m. When released, the block moves on a horizontal tabletop for 1 meter before coming to rest. The spring constant is 100N/m.  What is the coefficient of friction between the block and the tabletop??

badhi · Answer

When the block comes to the rest, the net force that is applied to the block is zero. Since the spring is expanded at that time, the force by the spring on the object is towards the spring. To cut out that force the friction should be in the opposite direction to that force equate those forces and find the the coefficient (you'll have to find the total extended length of the spring)