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wallercp
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Homework Statement
The ball launcher in a pinball machine has a spring that has a force constant of 1.2 N/cm. The surface on which the ball moves is inclined at 10° with respect to the horizontal. If the spring is initially compressed 5 cm, find the launching speed of a .1 kg ball when the plunger is released. Friction and the mass of the plunger are negligible.
Homework Equations
Ue (Elastic potential) = (1/2)kx^2
K (Kinetic) = (1/2)mv^2
Ug (Gravitational potential) = mgh
The Attempt at a Solution
k = 1.2 N/ cm = .012 N / m
x = 5 cm = .05 m
m = .1 kg
g = 9.8 m/s
Ue = K + Ug
.5kx^2 = .5mv^2 + mgh
.5(.012)(.05^2) = .5(.1)v^2 + .1(9.8)(.05sin(10°))
0.000015 = .05v^2 + .00851
At this point, my v^2 will equal a negative number, which makes no sense at all. I'm stuck >.<
The problem is that the left side of the equation gets exponentially smaller while the right hand side... doesn't.
Edit: Foolish calculator mistake. I hate how I find this out right after I posted it (I checked my work for 1/2 hr before posting).
1.2 N / cm = 120 N / m, not .012. I hit * instead of / on my calc.
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