Question

Describe the energy transformations when a child hops around on a pogo stick (there is a spring inside).

Short answer

The obtained result is that gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as it moves downwards, and the spring potential energy transforms into kinetic energy as the spring expands to move up the boy.

Step-by-step solution

Transformation of energy

In this problem, when a child hops around on a pogo stick, and there is a spring in the pogo stick, three types of energy occur.

The types ofenergiesare gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, and potential energy of spring.

As the child hops on the pogo stick, the potential energy at the top of the hop will be converted into kinetic energy as it moves downwards.

Kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy

The spring is attached to the stick, and its potential energy will be collected as it compresses. When the spring expands, this potential energy is transformed into kinetic as well as gravitational potential energy, and this cycle recurs until the child stops hopping.