Work/force/kinematics slingshot problem

Shadowsol

[b]1. An average force of 8.2 newtons is used to pull a .4 kg rock, stretching a sling shot 43 centimeters. The rock is shot downward from a bridge 18 meters above a stream. What will be the velocity of the rock just before it hits the water? How much time will it take to hit the water.



2. Relevant equations



[b]3. I just want to know if the spring/work equation, .5k(x)squared=w applies to the slingshot, and would stretching it by 43 CM = the x part of the equation? I don't know what to do once I get work. How do i get the velocity of the rock? I know A after shot would be 9.8, d is 18, but is final Velocity 0?

Shooting Star

It does apply, and yes. The spring PE is converted to KE. That's how you get the velocity. Final velocity nowhere is zero.

Shadowsol

Ok, so I put in the force*the distance it was pulled back to get the potential sling shot energy. I than set that equal to the KE equation and got V. Than I simply used that V as V0, used 9.8 as A, and 18 m as D, than solved for V1. Is this correct?

Shooting Star

Absolutely. You find the time using the same kinematics.