In a physics lab experiment, a spring clamped to the table shoots a 22 g ball horizontally. When the spring is compressed 22 cm, the ball travels horizontally 5.2 m and lands on the floor 1.3 m below the point at which it left the spring.

Question

In a physics lab experiment, a spring clamped to the table shoots a 22 g ball horizontally. When the spring is compressed 22 cm, the ball travels horizontally 5.2 m and lands on the floor 1.3 m below the point at which it left the spring.
What is the spring constant?

drwls · Answer

The time to fall 1.3 m is given by the equation
1.3 m = (g/2) t^2
t = 0.515 s

The horizontal velocity component, which equals the initial velocity, is
Vo = 5.2 m/0.515s = 10.1 m/s

Fot the spring constant k, solve
(1/2) k(0.22)^2 = (1/2) M Vo^2
k = M Vo^2/(0.22 m)

bob · Answer

10.2

dj · Answer

n a physics lab experiment, a spring clamped to the table shoots a 21 g ball horizontally. When the spring is compressed 20 cm , the ball travels horizontally 5.2 m and lands on the floor 1.5 m below the point at which it left the spring.