A heavy dart and a light dart are launched horizontally on a frictionless table by identical ideal springs. Both springs were initially compressed by the same amount. Which of the following
Statements about these darts are correct? (There could be more than one correct choice.)
A) Both darts had the same initial elastic potential energy.
B) The lighter dart leaves the spring moving faster than the heavy dart.
C) The darts both have the same kinetic energy just as they move free of the spring.
D) The heavy dart had more initial elastic potential energy than the light dart.
E) Both darts move free of the spring with the same speed.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The initial elastic potential energy is the same for both darts since the springs are identical and compressed by the same amount. The lighter dart moves faster because kinetic energy is shared between mass and velocity, and both darts have the same kinetic energy when they leave the spring.

A Heavy Dart and a Light Dart Are Launched Horizontally