Question

A ball is pushed into a spring-loaded launcher with a force of 20 N, which compresses the spring 0.08 m.

A) What is the spring constant of the spring
B) Find the elastic potential energy (PEs) stored in the spring (or the work done on the spring)

Answer 1

0.8J

Step-by-step explanation:

Given parameters:

Force = 20N

Compression = 0.08m

Unknown:

Spring constant = ?

Elastic potential energy = ?

Solution:

To solve this problem, we use the expression below:

F = k e

F is the force

k is the spring constant

e is the compression

20 = k x 0.08

k = 250N/m

Elastic potential energy;

EPE =
`(1)/(2)` k e² =
`(1)/(2)` x 250 x 0.08²

Elastic potential energy = 0.8J