Question

A ball is placed on a compressed spring. On releasing the spring, the ball flies away. Then which of the following is true?

• A. The ball creates its own kinetic energy
• B. Elastic potential energy of the spring is destroyed and kinetic energy of the ball is created
• C. Potential energy of the ball is destroyed and kinetic energy of the spring is created
• D. Elastic potential energy of the spring gets converted into kinetic energy of the ball

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Elastic potential energy of the spring gets converted into kinetic energy of the ball

Work is done on the spring to compress it. This work is stored in the spring in the form of its elastic potential energy. When the spring is released, its elastic potential energy gets transformed into the kinetic energy of the ball and the ball flies away.