Question

You are in the market for a new pinball launching spring. You want the pinball to reach the top of the table when you pull the spring back five centimeters. The pinball you are using is solid, stainless steel. It has an 80g mass and a 27cm diameter. The table’s length is 40cm and has a 7-degree slope.

A: What is the spring constant(k) for the required replacement spring?

B: If this spring is compressed 10 centimeters and the pinball rolls up the slope without slipping, what is the translational speed of the pinball when it is halfway up the table?

C: What would happen if the surface is frictionless and the ball doesn’t roll?

Answer 1