Physics problem help please!?
The ball launcher in a pinball machine has a spring that has a force constant of 1.20N/cm . the surface on which the ball moves is inclined 10.0 degrees with respect to the horizontal. If the spring is initially compressed 5cm find the launching speed of 100g ball when the plunger is released. Friction and the mass of the plunger are negligible.
The answer should be 1.68 m/s....I just dont know how to get there. Any help is greatly appreciated
Comments
first of all calculate energy stored in spring using eqn
E=(1/2)*k*x^2
then equate this energy with kinetic and pot energy of the ball
E=(1/2)mv^2 + m*g*h here h is 5*sin10
you have all values and will calculate value of v...
the real trick of the question is that some energy will be stored in form on potential energy at the release of the spring ....height will be 5sin45=3.53cm