Question

The spring of a spring gun has force constant k = 400 N/m and negligible mass. The spring is compressed 6.00 cm and a ball with mass 0.0300 kg is placed in the horizontal barrel against the compressed spring. The spring is then released, and the ball is propelled out the barrel of the gun. The barrel is 6.00 cm long, so the ball leaves the barrel at the same point that it loses contact with the spring. The gun is held so the barrel is horizontal.(a) Calculate the speed with which the ball leaves the barrel if you can ignore friction. (b) Calculate the speed of the ball as it leaves the barrel if a constant resisting force of 6.00 N acts on the ball as it moves along the barrel. (c) For the situation in part (b), at what position along the barrel does the ball have the greatest speed, and what is that speed? (In this case, the maximum speed does not occur at the end of the barrel.)

Answer 1

A) v = 6.93 m/s

B) v = 4.9 m/s

C) x_m = 0.015m

D) v_max = 5.2 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given;

x = 6 cm = 0.06 m

k = 400 N

m = 0.03 kg

F = 6N

A) from work energy law, work dome by the spring on ball which now became a kinetic energy is;

Ws = K.E = ½kx²

Similarly, kinetic energy of ball is;

K.E = ½mv²

So, equating both equations, we have;

½kx² = ½mv²

Making v the subject gives;

v = √(kx²/m)

Plugging in the relevant values to give;

v = √((400 × 0.06²)/0.03)

v = √48

v = 6.93 m/s

B) If there is friction, the total work is;

Ws = ½kx² - - - (1)

Work of the ball is;

Wb = KE + Wf

So, Wb = ½mv² + fx - - - (2)

Combining both equations, we have;

½mv² + fx = ½kx²

Plugging in the relevant values, we have;

(½ × 0.03 × v²) + (6 × 0.06) = ½ × 400 × 0.06²

0.015v² + 0.36 = 0.72

0.015v² = 0.72 - 0.36

v² = 0.36/0.015

v = √24

v = 4.9 m/s

C) The speed is greatest where the acceleration stops i.e. where the net force on the ball is zero. (ie spring force matches 6.0N friction)

So, from F = Kx;

(x is measured into barrel from end where F = 0)

Thus; 6.0 = 400x

x_m = 6/400

x_m = 0.015m from the end after traveling 0.045m

D) Initial force on ball = (Kx - F) =

[(400 x 0.06) - 6.0] = 18N

Final force on ball = 0N

Mean Net force on ball = ½(18 + 0)

Mean met force, F_m = 9N

Net Work Done on ball = KE = 9N x 0.045m = 0.405 J

Thus;

½m(v_max)² = 0.405J

(v_max)² = 2 x 0.405/0.03

(v_max)² = 27

v(max) = √27

v_max = 5.2 m/s