Potential Energy Sample Problems

Potential Energy Sample Problems

1. A spring with a force constant of 5.2 N/m has a relaxed length of 2.45 m. When a mass is attached to the end of the spring and allowed to come to rest, the vertical length of the spring is 3.57 m. Calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the spring.

2. A spoon is raised 21.0 cm above a table. If the spoon and its contents have a mass of 30.0 g, what is the gravitational potential energy at that height, relative to the surface of the table?

3. A 55 kg skier is at the top of a slope , as shown in the figure below. At the initial point A, the skier is 10.0 m vertically above the final point B.

a. Set the zero level for gravitational potential energy at B, find the gravitational potential energy of the skier at both A and B.

b. Repeat this problem with the zero level at point A.

c. Repeat this problems with the zero level midway down the slope, at a height of 5.0 m.

EMBED Equation.3

EMBED Equation.3

A

B

h=10m

EMBED Equation.3

Part B

EMBED Equation.3

EMBED Equation.3

Part C: height is equal for A and B

EMBED Equation.3

_1288464790.unknown

_1288465372.unknown

_1288465600.unknown

_1288465647.unknown

_1288465552.unknown

_1288464914.unknown

_1288464311.unknown