Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Hooke's Law
Hooke's Law states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to its displacement from the equilibrium position, expressed as F = -kx, where F is the force, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement. In this scenario, the spring constant is 250 N/m, and the spring is compressed by 0.12 m, allowing us to calculate the potential energy stored in the spring.
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Spring Force (Hooke's Law)
Kinetic Energy and Work-Energy Principle
The work-energy principle states that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy. The potential energy stored in the compressed spring is converted into kinetic energy as the box is launched. The kinetic energy (KE) can be calculated using the formula KE = 0.5mv^2, where m is the mass of the box and v is its velocity.
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Friction and its Effects
Friction is a force that opposes the motion of an object and is calculated as F_friction = μN, where μ is the coefficient of friction and N is the normal force. In this case, the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.23, and it affects the box's motion by reducing its speed after launch. The net force acting on the box must account for this frictional force to determine the final launch speed.
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