A 0.10 newton spring toy with a spring constant of 160 newtons per meter is compressed 0.05 meter before it is launched. When released the spring toy pops up and reaches a maximum height of 1.5 meters.

1) How much elastic potential energy is initially stored in the spring?

2) How much internal energy is produced as the toy springs up to its maximum height?

(1) V = 0.2 J (2) 0.05J

Explanation:

Solution

Given that:

K = 160 N/m

x = 0.05 m

Now,

(1) we solve for the initial potential energy stored

Thus,

V = 1/2 kx² = 0.5 * 160 * (0.05) ²

Therefore V = 0.2 J

(2) Now, we solve for how much of the internal energy is produced as the toy springs up to its maximum height.

By using the energy conversion, we have the following

ΔV = mgh

= (0.1/9.8) * 9.8 * 1.5 = 0.15J

The internal energy = 0.2 - 0.15

=0.05J