SUMMARY
The pinball machine's ball launcher utilizes a spring with a force constant of 1.10 N/cm to launch a 0.100 kg ball from a 6.00 cm compression. The inclined surface is set at 10.0° to the horizontal. The relevant equations for solving this problem include potential energy (PE = mgy), kinetic energy (KE = 1/2 mv²), and spring potential energy (PE = 1/2 kx²). By applying the conservation of energy principle, specifically PE1 = KE2 + PE2, the launching speed can be accurately calculated.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of potential energy and kinetic energy concepts
- Familiarity with Hooke's Law and spring constants
- Basic knowledge of trigonometry for inclined planes
- Ability to manipulate algebraic equations
NEXT STEPS
- Study the conservation of energy principle in mechanical systems
- Learn about Hooke's Law and its applications in spring mechanics
- Explore the effects of incline angles on motion dynamics
- Practice solving problems involving energy transformations in physics
USEFUL FOR
Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and energy conservation, as well as educators seeking to enhance their teaching methods in these topics.