Question

A compressed spring in a toy is used to launch a 5.00-gram ball.

If the ball leaves the toy with an initial horizontal speed of 5.00 meters per second, the minimum amount of potential energy stored in the compressed spring was:

a) 0.0125 J
b) 0.0250 J
c) 0.0625 J
d) 0.125 J

Answer 1

c) 0.0625 J

Step-by-step explanation:

How the mechanical energy is conserved, then ball’s kinetic energy is equal to stored energy in compressed spring.

Then:

`K = U_(e)`

Where K: kinetic energy

`U_(e)`: elastic potential energy

`K = (mv^(2) )/(2)`

`K = ((0.005)(5)^(2) )/(2)`

K = 0.0625 J

and

`U_(e)` = 0.0625