Two identical gliders on an air track are held together by a piece of string, compressing a spring between the gliders. While they are moving to the right at a common speed of 0.52 m/s, someone holds a match under the string and burns it, letting the spring force the gliders apart. One glider is then observed to be moving to the right at 1.33 m/s.
To explain the observation, let's break down the scenario step by step.
Step 1: Identical Gliders on an Air Track
We have two identical gliders on an air track. An air track is a frictionless surface, which means there are no external forces acting on the gliders besides the forces we introduce.
Step 2: Gliders Moving to the Right at 0.52 m/s
Initially, the gliders are moving to the right at a common speed of 0.52 m/s. This implies that no net external forces are acting on the gliders since they are maintaining a constant velocity.
Step 3: String Holding the Gliders Together
The gliders are held together by a piece of string. This string is keeping the gliders compressed against a spring. The compression of the spring is the result of a force. The direction of the force is opposite to the direction of the gliders' motion, as the spring attempts to restore its equilibrium.
Step 4: Burning the String
When someone holds a match under the string and burns it, the string breaks, allowing the spring to exert a force on the gliders. The force of the spring pushes the gliders apart due to the spring's natural tendency to expand and reach its equilibrium position.
Step 5: Glider Moves to the Right at 1.33 m/s
After the string breaks, one of the gliders is observed to be moving to the right at a speed of 1.33 m/s. This indicates that the force from the spring was greater than the net combined force resisting the motion of that particular glider in comparison to the other glider.
Explanation:
The glider moving at a higher speed was able to overcome the force holding it back because the spring's force on that particular glider was stronger compared to the resisting forces acting on it. These resisting forces might include friction between the air track and the glider or any other external forces acting on the system.
In summary, burning the string releases the potential energy stored in the compressed spring, resulting in the spring force pushing the gliders apart. The glider that moves faster experienced a stronger force from the spring, allowing it to accelerate to a higher speed compared to the other glider.