Question

A ball with a mass of `350` `g` is projected vertically by a spring loaded contraption. The spring in the contraption has a spring constant of `16` `kgs^-2` and was compressed by `7/6` `m` when the ball was released. How high will the ball go?

Answer 1

The spring potential energy is given by `F=1/2kx^2=1/2xx16xx(7/6)^2=10.9` `J`. This will be converted to gravitational potential energy (but remember to express mass in the SI unit, `kg`, as `0.350` `kg`). `E_p=mgh`. Rearranging, `h=E_p/(mg)=10.9/(0.35xx9.8)~~3.18` `m`.