A 0.50kg cart is attached to an ideal horizontal spring with force constant k=50N/m. The cart is initially at the spring’s equilibrium position (x=0) and moving to the right with speed 2.0m/s. The surface is frictionless.
• Student A defines the elastic potential energy to be zero at x=0.
• Student B defines the elastic potential energy to be zero at x=+0.15m.
When the cart passes through x=+0.10m, Student A calculates the cart’s kinetic energy to be 0.75J. Which of the following best describes the kinetic energy value that Student B will calculate at the same location?
a) 1.00J
b) 0.44J
c) 0.75J
d) 1.50J