A ball with a mass of #360 g# is projected vertically by a spring loaded contraption. The spring in the contraption has a spring constant of #9 (kg)/s^2# and was compressed by #4/3 m# when the ball was released. How high will the ball go?

1 Answer
Apr 28, 2017

The height is #=2.27m#

Explanation:

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The spring constant is #k=9kgs^-2#

The compression is #x=4/3m#

The potential energy is

#PE=1/2*9*(4/3)^2=8J#

This potential energy will be converted to kinetic energy when the spring is released

#KE=1/2m u^2#

The initial velocity is #=u#

#u^2=2/m*KE=2/m*PE#

#u^2=2/0.36*8=44.44#

#u=sqrt44.44=6.67ms^-1#

Resolving in the vertical direction #uarr^+#

We apply the equation of motion

#v^2=u^2+2ah#

At the greatest height, #v=0#

and #a=-g#

So,

#0=44.44-2*9.8*h#

#h=44.4/(2*9.8)=2.27m#