A spring gun of spring constant 100 N/m contains a 100 g ball. The spring is compressed by 0.05 m. The ball leaves the gun horizontally from height 2 m. Find the horizontal distance d (m) at which a box should be placed. (g=10 m/s²)

Question

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Spring energy is ½kx²=½(100)(0.05²)=0.125 J. Thus ½mv²=0.125 gives v=√2.5 m/s. Time to fall 2 m is √(2h/g)=√0.4 s, so d=v t=1.0 m.