Two different devices are used in a school science project
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
Two different devices are used in a school science project.
• Device A is a platform 5m above the ground on which a block of mass 2kg is placed.
• Device B is a spring of constant 800Nm−1 that is compressed by 0.20m.
(i) Calculate the potential energy stored in Device A relative to ground level. Take g=9.8ms−2.
(ii) Calculate the potential energy stored in Device B.
(iii) Each device releases all of its stored energy to launch a toy cart of mass 0.5kg along a friction-free horizontal track. Find the maximum speed the cart can attain in each case.
(iv) Which device provides the higher maximum speed? Justify your answer with calculations.
(v) For the device that gives the higher speed, show that the total mechanical energy of the cart–device system remains conserved during the launch.