Solve Jumping Toy Problem: Find Spring Constant & Power

  • Thread starter Thread starter MozAngeles
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a spring mechanism that propels a toy to a certain height after being compressed. Participants are tasked with finding the spring constant and calculating average and instantaneous power during the toy's propulsion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using the formula for spring constant and question the correct application of force and distance in their calculations. There is mention of using conservation of energy to find the spring constant and exploring the relationship between work and power.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various approaches being explored. Some participants have suggested using the conservation of energy principle, while others are questioning the initial assumptions and methods for calculating force and spring constant. There is no explicit consensus yet, but several lines of reasoning are being examined.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the constraints of the problem, including the need to accurately define force and the relationship between compression and energy stored in the spring. There is also a focus on the definitions and calculations related to power.

MozAngeles
Messages
100
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A spring is compressed 1.5 cm and propels a 49g toy to a height of 45 cm.
a. Find the spring constant
b. The average power of the spring during propulsion.
c. The instantaneous power exerted when the compression is just .75cm

Homework Equations


k=F/\Deltax
Power=Work/time


The Attempt at a Solution


i thought the spring constant ,k, would be (mass of toy x 9.81)/(.015), but this is wrong.
then work would be, force(which i don't know how to find) x distance(.45).. but I am not sure
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Try Using this:

Elastic potential energy stored in wire or spring (Amount of work stored)

* W = ½keffX2, where X is the extension of spring
 
Okay, but I'm still not sure how to find the spring constant, was I on the right track by using F/\Deltax, where x=.015 m
 
and force is equal to .049x9.81
 
Okay so i figured out the constant by conservation of energy.
1/2kx2=mgh, solve for k
then for power p=w/t, i find t by finding\omega=sqrt. (k/m) then using that to find T, the period.
then work= 1/2kx2, so then i just divide the w/T, would this be correct?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
8K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K