A toy launcher uses a spring to fire a small ball straight upwards.
The spring has a spring constant of 400 N/m. The spring is stretched by 5.0 cm and then released.
Use the equation: energy transferred in stretching=0.5×spring constant×(extension)2\text{energy transferred in stretching} = 0.5 \times \text{spring constant} \times (\text{extension})^2energy transferred in stretching=0.5×spring constant×(extension)2
Calculate the energy stored in the spring.
The mass of the ball is 0.020 kg. The gravitational field strength is 10 N/kg.
Assume that all of the energy stored in the spring is transferred to the gravitational potential energy store of the ball at its highest point.
Use the equation: gravitational potential energy=mass×gravitational field strength×height\text{gravitational potential energy} = \text{mass} \times \text{gravitational field strength} \times \text{height}gravitational potential energy=mass×gravitational field strength×height
Calculate the maximum height the ball reaches.
The ball does not reach the height calculated in (b).
Explain why.
46 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Physics 2.3 Forces in action, covering 2.3.1 Stretching, bending and compressing, 2.3.2 Elastic and plastic deformation, 2.3.3 Force and extension of a spring, 2.3.4 Linear and non-linear force-extension behaviour, 2.3.5 The spring constant, 2.3.6 Work done in stretching, 2.3.7 Gravitational fields, 2.3.8 Weight and gravitational field strength, 2.3.9 Acceleration in free fall, 2.3.10 Relating force, mass and gravitational field strength, 2.3.11 Forces causing rotation, 2.3.12 The moment of a force, 2.3.13 Levers and gears, 2.3.14 Pressure in fluids, and 2.3.15 Pressure, force and contact area. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.