In a popular new hockey game, the players use small launchers with springs to move a 0.002-kg puck. Each spring has a spring constant of 122 N/m and can be compressed up to 0.02 m. Determine the maximum speed with which the puck can be launched.
- Draw a sketch of the situation, labeling all of the physical quantities given in the problem. Identify your system in the sketch. Make sure both the initial and final states are represented in your sketch.
- Draw a motion diagram and a work-energy bar chart. Take the moment when the spring is fully compressed right before the puck is launched as your initial state and after the spring is fully relaxed and the puck is moving at its highest speed as your final state.
- Solve for the maximum speed with which the puck can be launched. Show all of the work necessary to reach your solution. Start with general equations and explain what you are doing and why you did what you did.
- Evaluate your solution. Describe how you evaluated your answer and whether or not you think your answer is reasonable.
