Question

A lead pellet of mass 10 g leaves an air gun with a velocity of 40 ms⁻¹. What is the magnitude of potential energy stored by its spring?

Answer 1

The spring's potential energy changes into the pellet's kinetic energy.

Convert the mass: 10 g = 0.01 kg

\[ \text{Kinetic energy} = \frac{1}{2}\, mv^{2} \]

\[= \frac{1}{2} \times 0.01 \times 40^{2} \]

= 8 J

Therefore, the potential energy stored by the spring is 8 J.