A children's toy comprises a plastic hemisphere mounted on top of a spring of spring…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Work Energy and Power · Work Energy and Power
Problem
A children's toy comprises a plastic hemisphere mounted on top of a spring of spring constant 5×103N m−1. The total mass of the toy is 25g. The toy is used by compressing the spring by 1cm. When it is let go, the toy jumps into the air. (g=10m s−2)
(a) Calculate the total mechanical energy of the toy when the spring is fully compressed.
(b) By applying conservation of mechanical energy, calculate the initial speed at which the toy moves upwards.
(c) Hence, calculate how high the toy can jump.