Halliday, Resnick & Walker — Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy: Problem 29

29 A 4.00 kg block moves on a horizontal, frictionless surface and collides with a spring of spring constant k that is fixed to a wall. When the block momentarily stops, the spring has been compressed by 0.20 m. After rebounding, the block has a speed of 4.00 m/s. Next, the spring is put on an inclined surface with its lower end fixed in place (Fig. 8-30). The same block is now released on the incline at a distance of 5.00 m from the spring’s free end. When the block momentarily stops, the spring has been compressed by 0.30 m. (a) What is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the incline? (b) How far does the block then move up the incline from the stopping point?