so just one thing since i used conservation of energy my system would have to isolated so would i have to include the Earth as my system or just track+spring+car since its isolated until it reaches the top part of the track?
1/2(0.1)(0)^2+1/2k(-0.02m)^2+1/2(0.1)(3.286)^2+1/2k(0)^2
wouldn't in the final case the spring be back at equilibrium so x=0 and the velocity after is 3.286 which i determined earlier
1/2(0.1)(0)^2 +mg(0)+1/2k(-2)^2=1/2(0.1)(3.286)^2+mg(0)+1/2(k)(0)+Ehf
is that correct so far would the forces of gravity be 0 since there is no height and would the thermal energy be 0
well in an isolated system energy is conserved, i found this equation online but i have never used it in class before
1/2mvi^2+mgh,i+1/2kxi^2=1/2mvf^2+mghf+1/2kxf^2+EHf
well if we know the final velocity at the top we could figure out the initial at the bottom by vf^2=vi^2 +2ad
so Vi=3.286 but to get the acceleration at the bottom we would need either time or distance .