Spring-launched balls of different masses · CAP 2015 #16
Physics · mechanics
Problem
A ball is placed on a massless spring that is held at an angle of θ with respect to the horizontal. The spring is then compressed a distance of x and released. When the ball reaches the maximum height of its trajectory, it is traveling at a speed v. Then a different ball, weighing four times as much as the first, is placed on the spring which is still at an angle θ. The spring is again compressed a distance x and released. Compared to the first ball, the second ball reaches a maximum height that is
a) sin2θ times as high.
b) 1/4 times as high.
c) gv2 times as high.
d) 4 times higher.