1M40.65 Height of a Spring-launched Ball

1M40.65 Height of a Spring-launched Ball

Launch tennis ball (57 grams) using the first click of the launcher. It will go almost 2 meters high. Then launch weighted tennis ball (334 grams) to show mass dependence on energy.

When the mass of the plunger and half the mass of the spring (188g) are accounted for the mass ratio works out to 2:1

 

A tennis ball sits on a small spring-loaded platform inside a transparent tube. A latch allows the demonstrator to release the spring, sending the tennis ball directly upward. A vertically-mounted classroom-scale ruler appears behind the tube. A protractor mounted to the tube allows the demonstrator and students to check the angle of the tube.

Location: Launcher: C3-4; Large Two-Meter Stick: right of the turntable