Question
A small steel ball bearing with a mass of 24 g is on a short compressed spring. When aimed vertically and suddenly released, the spring sends the bearing to a height of 1.23 m. Calculate the horizontal distance the ball will travel if the same spring is aimed 27° from the horizontal.
For this problem, does the mass need to be considered? Or do I just ignore the mass and solve for the velocities?
For this problem, does the mass need to be considered? Or do I just ignore the mass and solve for the velocities?
Answers
bobpursley
Yes, the mass has to be considered. The spring is operating against gravitational forces in the vertical.
energy in spring= massball*g*height
because it is short, you can ignore the change in GPE when the spring is compressed.
If that is so, then
1/2mv^2=mgh and you are right, mass divides out.
v initial= sqrt (2gh)
this is the same v initial when launched at any other angle.
energy in spring= massball*g*height
because it is short, you can ignore the change in GPE when the spring is compressed.
If that is so, then
1/2mv^2=mgh and you are right, mass divides out.
v initial= sqrt (2gh)
this is the same v initial when launched at any other angle.
Lindsay
Once I then have the initial vel., how can I go about getting the horizintal distance? Don't I need time?
bobpursley
No,
initial vertical velocity= v*sinTheta
That will lead to time in air.
initial vertical velocity= v*sinTheta
That will lead to time in air.
Lindsay
Ahh ok I got it now.
Thanks. :)
Thanks. :)