Physics (AS & A Level) · May / June 2017 · Paper 11 · Question 21

The variation of the compression of a spring with the force applied to it is shown in the graph. [graph: compression / cm against force / N, straight line through origin reaching 5.0 cm at 10.0 N] A block slides along a horizontal frictionless surface towards the spring, as shown. [diagram: block moving towards a spring on a horizontal surface] The block is brought to rest by the spring. When the spring reaches a compression of 4.0 cm, all of the kinetic energy of the block is transferred to the elastic potential energy of the spring. What is the kinetic energy of the block when it first makes contact with the spring?

1. A0.16 J
2. B0.32 J
3. C16 J
4. D32 J

As printed in the paper