A Red Rider bb gun uses the energy in a compressed spring to provide the kinetic energy for propelling a small pellet of mass 0.27 grams. By cocking the lever attached to the stock of the rifle, the spring (k = 1800 N/m) is compressed 8.5 cm from its equilibrium point. Required:
a. What is the potential energy energy stored in the compressed spring?
b. What is the kinetic energy of the pellet when the spring is released?