Insights Blog
-- Browse All Articles --
Physics Articles
Physics Tutorials
Physics Guides
Physics FAQ
Math Articles
Math Tutorials
Math Guides
Math FAQ
Education Articles
Education Guides
Bio/Chem Articles
Technology Guides
Computer Science Tutorials
Forums
Intro Physics Homework Help
Advanced Physics Homework Help
Precalculus Homework Help
Calculus Homework Help
Bio/Chem Homework Help
Engineering Homework Help
Trending
Featured Threads
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Intro Physics Homework Help
Advanced Physics Homework Help
Precalculus Homework Help
Calculus Homework Help
Bio/Chem Homework Help
Engineering Homework Help
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Forums
Homework Help
Introductory Physics Homework Help
Confused...calculating energy in a spring before launch of a ball
Reply to thread
Message
[QUOTE="Fatima Iqbal, post: 5275577, member: 576078"] [h2]Homework Statement [/h2] So a little background before stating the problem: During a lecture a couple weeks prior to lab, the instructor did an example where we were told to find the max height of a ball launched upwards by compressing a spring. In order to calculate that, he showed that E1 is the position of ball before the launch off a spring, E2 is at Xo or at equilibrium and E3 is at max height. Then he stated that all these energies are equal to one another--so E1=E2, E2=E3, thus E1=E3. A couple weeks later for a lab, we had to show that the mechanical energy of a ball (.0096kg) shot straight up is conserved. From relative graphs and for trial 1, I found the height of the ball and the velocity at the same time--.978m and -1.169m/s respectively--and I calculated the total mechanical energy to be 9.86 x 10^-2 J (KE=6.56 x 10^-3 J and Ugrav=9.20 x 10^-2 J). Based on my notes just before this lab, our instructor told us that the total mechanical energy (KE + Ugrav) should be equal to the energy in the spring before the ball was launched. But I'm confused, why shouldn't the Uspring [I]just [/I]equal the potential energy or [I]just [/I]the kinetic energy as he showed in lecture? [h2]Homework Equations[/h2] KE=1/2mv^2 Ugrav=mgh Uspring=1/2kx^2 Total Energy=KE + Ugrav & Uspring = Total energy = KE + Ugrav [h2]The Attempt at a Solution[/h2] I think while typing out the problem I may have come to an answer and just need confirmation. The reason why Upsring = KE + Ugrav from the lab versus the lecture is because in the lab we did not use the KE at equilibrium (Ugrav = 0) and the Ugrav at the max. height (KE = 0). If that was the case then the scenario from the lecture would apply for the lab. Is this correct? [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Post reply
Forums
Homework Help
Introductory Physics Homework Help
Confused...calculating energy in a spring before launch of a ball
Back
Top