Question

A toy rocket is to be launched by a spring with a spring constant of 200 N/m. The spring is initially compressed a distance of 15 cm and the rocket has a mass of 100 g. How high above the equilibrium point of the spring does the rocket reach?

Answer 1

Gravitational acceleration = g = 9.81 m/s2

Mass of the rocket = m = 100 g = 0.1 kg

Force constant of the spring = k = 200 N/m

Distance the spring is compressed = d = 15 cm = 0.15 m

Height the rocket reaches above the equilibrium point of the spring = h

By conservation of energy the initial potential energy of the spring is converted into the potential energy of the rocket.

h = 2.14 m

Height the rocket reaches above the equilibrium point of the spring = 2.14 m