Halliday, Resnick & Walker — Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy: Problem 117

A 20 kg block on a horizontal surface is attached to a horizontal spring of spring constant \(k = 4.0 \text{ kN/m}\). The block is pulled to the right so that the spring is stretched 10 cm beyond its relaxed length, and the block is then released from rest. The frictional force between the sliding block and the surface has a magnitude of 80 N. (a) What is the kinetic energy of the block when it has moved 2.0 cm from its point of release? (b) What is the kinetic energy of the block when it first slides back through the point at which the spring is relaxed? (c) What is the maximum kinetic energy attained by the block as it slides from its point of release to the point at which the spring is relaxed?