In a physics lab experiment, a spring clamped to the table shoots a 22g ball horizontally. When the spring is compressed 21cm ,
the ball travels horizontally 5.0m and lands on the floor 1.7m below the point at which it left the spring. What is the spring constant?
Express your answer using two significant figures.
According to the work-energy theorem, the change in the kinetic energy of the combined mass of the child and the sled, is equal to the total work done on the object by external forces.
The external forces capable to do work on the combination of child +sled, are the friction force (opposing to the displacement), and the component of the weight parallel to the slide.
As this last work is just equal to the change in the gravitational potential energy (with opposite sign) , we can write the following equation:
ΔK, is the change in kinetic energy, as follows:
ΔU, is the change in the gravitational potential energy.
If we choose as our zero reference level, the bottom of the slope, the change in gravitational potential energy will be as follows:
Finally, the work done for non-conservative forces, is the work done by the friction force, along the slope, as follows:
Replacing (2), (3), and (4) in (1), simplifying common terms, and rearranging, we have:
Replacing by the givens and the knowns, we can solve for sin θ, as follows: ⇒ θ = sin⁻¹ (0.236) = 13.7º
The pressure of the air inside the balloon is higher than outside, and when you pop the balloon, the high pressure air expands quickly and makes a popping sound.