Tom has built a large slingshot, but it is not working quite right. He thinks he

Question

Tom has built a large slingshot, but it is not working quite right. He thinks he can model the slingshot like an ideal spring, with a spring constant of 55.0 N/m. When he pulls the slingshot back 0.515 m from a non-stretched position, it just doesn't launch its payload as far as he wants. His physics professor "helps" by telling him to aim for an elastic potential energy of 22.0 Joules. Tom decides he just needs elastic bands with a higher spring constant. By what factor does Tom need to increase the spring constant to hit his potential energy goal?

Explanation / Answer

a) new spring constant

Here,

SPE = 22 J

X = 0.515 M

K = ?

We know,

SPE = 1/2*k*x^2

22 J = 1/2*k*(0.515 m)^2

k = 22 / (0.5 * 0.515^2)

k = 165.9 N/m

Now,

Factor = New k / old k

Factor = 165.9 / 55

Factor = 3

Therefore, Spring constant should be three times more.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.