Homework help: Work and Energy: Spring

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem related to work and energy, specifically involving a spring-loaded toy. The original poster presents a scenario where a toy is compressed and then released, with questions about its speed upon release and the maximum height it can reach when approaching a hill.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations related to kinetic and potential energy, with specific focus on the spring potential energy. There are attempts to verify and correct the calculations presented by the original poster.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided feedback on the calculations, prompting the original poster to reassess their work. There is acknowledgment of corrections made, but no explicit consensus on the final outcomes has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are addressing potential errors in the calculations, particularly regarding the squaring of values in the energy equations. The original poster's initial values and assumptions are under scrutiny, which may affect the results.

Syeda
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Homework Statement


A .5 kg loaded toy (spring k=8000 n/m) loaded toy is compressed .05 m and fired on a flat surface
a) Find the new speed it was released with
b) If it approaches a hill find the maximum height it can climb

Homework Equations


KE=1/2kx²
KE=1/2mv²
PE=1/2kx^2

The Attempt at a Solution


a) KE= 1/2(8000N/m)(.05m)²
KE=200J

KE=1/2mv²
200J=1/2(.5kg) v²
v= 28.284 m/s

b) PE=1/2kx^2
PE=10J
PE=mgh
10=.5kg(9.8m/s²)x
2.04m=h
 
Last edited:
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In part (a), check your calculation of spring potential energy. Interestingly, you used the correct value for energy in part (b).
 
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gneill said:
In part (a), check your calculation of spring potential energy. Interestingly, you used the correct value for energy in part (b).
Thank you for catching my mistake! I forgot to square the values so this is what I got for part a now:
10=1/2(.5)v²
v=6.32m/s
 
That looks better. I think you're all good now.
 
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