A rifle fires a 1.06 x 10-2-kg pellet straight upward, because the pellet rests on a compressed spring that is released when the trigger is pulled. The spring has a negligible mass and is compressed by 6.61 x 10-2 m from its unstrained length. The pellet rises to a maximum height of 6.26 m above its position on the compressed spring. Ignoring air resistance, determine the spring constant.

 k = 2.65 10² N / m

Explanation:

As the pellets shoot up we can use energy conservation

Starting point. Compressed spring rifle

            Em₀ = Ke = ½ k x²

Final point. Highest point of the path

            = U = m g y

Energy is conserved

            Em₀ = Em_{f}

           ½ k x² = m g y

           k = 2 m g y / x²

Let's calculate

            k = 2  1.06 10⁻²  9.8  6.26 / (6.61 10⁻²)²

             k = 2.65 10² N / m

50 inches should be the resultant vector

gpe = mass x gravity constant x height or… gpe = mgh

where… mass: measured in kilograms (kg)

gravity: gravity constant on earth = 10.00 m/s2

height: measured in meters (m)

gpe: measured in joules (j) or kilojoules (kj)

how do you solve gpe?

gravitational potential energy (gpe) is the energy an object has because of its position above the. ground.

gpe = mass x gravity constant x height or… gpe = mgh.

mass:

note: to earn full marks when solving science word problems, you must show your work:

formula.

example:

given values:

mass = 0.3 kg.