PE Formula and Calc

[AidenBrooks999]

We (and I think all) calculate the "PE" by the following formula : m*g*h

But my question is: Is there a way to calculate this "PE" in a horizontal launch?

That is (for example, somewhat "similar" to this calculation http://www.narutoforums.com/blog.php?b=25238&_ga=1.180577191.1221109783.1445711699): An object is cut into 4 equal parts , and said parts are thrown in different (but of equal distance) directions.

How can I calculate de PE of that?

 

[AidenBrooks999]

for example

F x D could be a way?

 

[Lina_Shields]

If you are going for a horizontal launch, a best example of this would be calculating the PE from a bow and arrow. There is a very specific way to this, where elastic PE = 0.5kx^2.

K = spring force constant (ability for material to stretch or compress)

X = distance material moved from original position

 

[AidenBrooks999]

Oh, and when I calculate the distance that the object was thrown, I should measure taking into account the center of mass or not?.

 

[Lina_Shields]

It doesn't say anything about taking the center of mass, unless the object has an irregular shape. If the object does have an irregular shape, the majority of the impact force will be coming from the center of mass, but the actual KE of the object will not change.

And for the equation I posted above, you have to find out how much the material stretches. You do not need the mass of the object for this, as the length of material stretched as well as the spring constant (this is a given value) should give you enough data to calculate PE.

 

[AidenBrooks999]

http://a.mhcdn.net/store/manga/14658/021.0/compressed/c028.jpg?v=1450524126

Then the pieces appear be launched to different (but of equal distance) directions.

I want to calc the energy of that

(And this what I found about the spring force constant http://m.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-calculate-a-spring-constant-using-hookes-la.html)