Solving a Simple Spring Problem: Finding the Speed of a Launched Object

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To find the speed of the object launched by the spring gun, one must consider the conversion of potential energy from the compressed spring to kinetic energy of the object. The potential energy stored in the spring can be calculated using the formula PE = 0.5 * k * x^2, where k is the spring constant and x is the compression distance. After calculating the potential energy, set it equal to the kinetic energy formula KE = 0.5 * m * v^2 to solve for the velocity (v) of the object. It's important to approach the problem systematically rather than randomly substituting values. Understanding the principles of energy conservation is crucial for solving this type of physics problem effectively.
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Simple Spring Problem Help!

A spring gun fires an object of mass 2.1 kg horizontally across a frictionless table. The spring has a spring constant of 19 N/m and is initially compressed by 3.6 cm. What is the speed of the object as it leaves the spring gun?

I can not figure out this problem.
3.6cm = 0.036 m
then I tired (0.036)(19) then dividing that by the mass
nothing seems to be working

Any help or direction would be great! Thank you!
 
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Typically you would want to consider the potential energy of the compressed spring being converted to kinetic energy.
 


It sounds like you are just doing things at random to see if they produce the answer in the back of the book. It would be far better to set the problem up in symbols and work it out in what you think is a rational manner before you ever substitute any numbers at all. You really need to be thinking about what you are doing and why.
 

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