Question

a metal ball is placed in a device with a spring that has been compressed past its equilibrium point so that when the spring is released, it will propel the ball into the air. the device is set up on a table one meter above the floor. which components make up the initial energy of the system? (1 point)
spring potential energy and gravitational potential energy
gravitational potential energy only
kinetic energy, spring potential energy, and gravitational potential energy
spring potential energy and kinetic energy

Explanation:

The spring is compressed, so it has spring - potential energy ($U_s=\frac{1}{2}kx^{2}$, where $k$ is the spring constant and $x$ is the displacement from the equilibrium position). The ball is on a table 1 meter above the floor, so it has gravitational potential energy ($U_g = mgh$, where $m$ is the mass, $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity and $h$ is the height). Initially, the ball is at rest, so there is no kinetic energy.

Answer:

spring potential energy and gravitational potential energy