Describe the K.E. and P.E. of each component of the pendulum device, i.e. the spring, the ball, and the pendulum (or, in parts c and d, the ball and pendulum combined) at the following times. Answer in terms of whether the various forms of energy of each component are decreasing, increasing, constant, 0,0, maximum or minimum for this system, etc. Answer thoroughly, and note that more than one of these terms may apply.
a) to when all is at rest before firing the ball.
b) t,, immediately before the collision.
c) t2, immediately after the collision.
d) ts, when all is at rest after the collision.
Answer:
a) to when all is at rest before firing the ball.
The spring is compressed and elastic potential energy of spring is maximum and kinetic energy of the ball is 0
b) t₁, immediately before the collision.
The spring is not compressed and elastic potential energy of spring is 0, however ball has maximum kinetic energy from t₀→t₁, kinetic energy of the ball is increasing and potential energy of spring is decreasing
c) t₂, immediately after the collision.
Kinetic energy of the ball and pendulum has decreased and potential energy of combination is 0
d) [tex]t_s[/tex], when all is at rest after the collision.
Potential energy of the system has increased to maximum values and kinetic energy has decreased to 0..