3. A clown at a circus is dropped from a platform that is 5.60 m above a vertica

Question

3. A clown at a circus is dropped from a platform that is 5.60 m above a vertical spring. The mass of the clown is 45.0 kg and the spring constant of the spring is 1550 N/m. The spring brings clown to a stop as the it compresses the spring 1.16 m. A) Calculate the work done by gravity on the lown moving clown. B) Calculate the work done by the spring on the clown. C) How fast was the c when reaching the spring is not negligible, would the clown make it to the platform? Explain ? D) If the clown is launched upward from the spring and air drag reach the platform, go higher than the platform, or not Pictorial Representation Mathematical Representation

Explanation / Answer

(a) Work done by the gravity = mgh
where m is mass of clown , g is acceleration due to gravity and h is the hieght of fall
= 45*9.81*5.6 = 2472.12 J
(b) Work done by the spring = (1/2)Kx2
where x is the compression of the spring
and K is the spring constant
= (1/2)*(1550)*(1.16)2 = 1042.84 J
(c) Applying the energy conservation
Initial energy = potential energy = mgh
Final energy = kinetic energy = (1/2)mV2
where V is the velocity of the clown before reaching the spring
(1/2)mV2 = mgh
V = (2gh)1/2 = (2*9.81*5.6)1/2 = 10.482 m/s
(d) If there is air drag then it will not able to reach the platform.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse 3
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.