Potential Engery and Energy Conservation

In summary, JO is loaded into a spring-loaded cannon-ball launcher and lands onto a springy trampoline that is initially at ground level. The Earth is dug out under the trampoline to compress it below ground level upon impact. At position 1, JO is compressed against the cannon-ball spring and at a vertical distance of 1m above the ground. The spring is compressed 0.2m from its equilibrium position with a spring constant of 1000 N/m. At position 2, JO has landed into the springy trampoline with a spring constant of 4000 N/m and the trampoline is maximally compressed a distance X2 below its equilibrium position. We can neglect friction and treat the trampoline as a "
  • #1
kuzthai
1
0
JO is "loaded" into a spring-loaded "cannon-ball" launcher as PICTURE. She lands into a springy trampoline that is initially at ground level. THe Earth is dug out under the trampoline so that when she lands, the trampoline will compress below ground level.

At position 1, 60kg JO is at rest, compressed against the cannon-ball spring. This spring is compressed a distance of 0.2m from its equilibrium position, with a spring constant of 1000 N/m. At the time, JO is at a vertical distance 1 m above the ground. Don't worry .. JO won't get hurt; her speed is slow and the springy trampoline will soften her impact.

At position 2, JO has landed into the springy trampoline (k2 = 4000 N/m) and the trampoline is maximally compressed a distance X2 below its equilibrium position. Suppose that we can neglect friction and the trampoline acts like a "normal" spring.

QUESTION:

a). WRITE DOWN the KNOWS and UNKNOWS with standard notation. For example, the spring constant of the trampoline is K2 = 4000 N/m.

NOTE: the reference is taken at position 2, the maxium compression of the trampoline. USE "x" for springs and "y" for vertical distance. Don't forget the subscripts, "1" and "2".

b). Using the conservation of energy equation, U1 + K1 + Wother = U2 + K2, determine how far below equilibrium position the spring will be compressed. Make sure to first cross out the terms that are zero and write expressions for each term using variables m, k2, etc.

thanks for helping..
 

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  • #2
welcome to pf!

hi kuzthai! welcome to pf! :wink:

show us what you've tried, and where you're stuck, and then we'll know how to help! :smile:
 

1. What is potential energy?

Potential energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its position or state. It is stored energy that has the potential to be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy.

2. How is potential energy related to energy conservation?

Potential energy and energy conservation are closely related because potential energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, and vice versa. This means that the total amount of energy in a closed system remains constant, in accordance with the law of conservation of energy.

3. What are some examples of potential energy?

Some examples of potential energy include gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, chemical potential energy, and nuclear potential energy. For instance, a ball sitting on top of a hill has gravitational potential energy because it has the potential to roll down the hill and gain kinetic energy.

4. How can potential energy be calculated?

The formula for potential energy depends on the type of potential energy being calculated. For gravitational potential energy, the formula is PE = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the object. For elastic potential energy, the formula is PE = ½kx^2, where k is the spring constant and x is the displacement from equilibrium.

5. How can we conserve potential energy?

Potential energy can be conserved by minimizing energy losses. For example, using more energy-efficient appliances and turning off lights when not in use can conserve potential energy. Additionally, finding alternative sources of energy that do not rely on the depletion of non-renewable resources can also help conserve potential energy.

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