A slingshot consists of a rubber strap attached to a Y-shaped frame, with a small pouch at the center of the strap to hold a small rock or other projectiles. The rubber strap behaves much like a spring. Suppose that for a particular slingshot a spring constant of 600 N/m is measured for the rubber strap. The strap is pulled back approximately 40 cm (0.4 m) prior to being released.
a. What is the potential energy of the system prior to release?
b. What is the maximum possible kinetic energy that can be gained by the rock after release?
c. If the rock has a mass of 50 g (0.05 kg), what is its maximum possible velocity after release?
d. Will the rock actually reach these maximum values of kinetic energy and velocity? Does the rubber strap gain kinetic energy? Explain.