Conceptual Grounding for Mechanical Energy Transformations

a$.$ Upon what basic quantity does kinetic energy depend? Gravitational potential energy?

Spring potential energy? Draw diagrams to illustrate each physical system with the

basic quantity labeled.

b$.$ You and your friend are skipping stones at the beach. You each throw a stone with

identical mass at identical speeds from the same height, but you throw yours

horizontally while your friend aims $10$ above the horizon. Are the rocks moving at the

same speed when they hit the surface of the ocean, or is one moving faster than the

other? If one is moving faster, which one? Explain your answer.

c$.$ The spring gun we used in our projectile motion lab shoots out a metal ball at speed $0$

when set to the $$rst stop$.$ When set to the $$second stop$,$ the spring is compressed

twice the distance compared to the $$rst stop$.$ By what factor is the ball$$s speed

increased when the spring gun is set to the $$second stop$?$ Explain your answ