Now suppose the initial velocity of the train is 4 m/s and the hill is 4 meters tall. If the train has a mass of 30000 kg, what is the value of the spring constant if the spring is compressed from its rest length to a maximum depth of 2.4 m by the train

Explanation:

From the question, the kinectic energy of the train will be equal to the energy stored in the spring.

Kinetic energy = 1/2 mv² and energy stored in a spring E = 1/2 ke².

Equating both we will have;

1/2 mv² = 1/2ke²

mv² = ke²

m is the mass of the train

v is the velocity of then train

k is the spring constant

e is the extension caused by the spring.

Given m = 30000kg, v = 4 m/s, e = 4 - 2.4 = 1.6m

Substituting this values into the formula will give;

30000*4² =  k*1.6²

The value of the spring constant is 187,500N/m