Hi, here's a problem that I have difficulty with to solve.
Block M2, w/c has a 20 kg mass, is on a frictionless table and it is firmly attached to one end of a spring with k = 2.5 N/m. The other end of the spring is anchored to the wall. Another block, M1 (and of the same mass as M2), is thrown horizontally toward M2 with a speed of 0.8 m/s.
For the elastic situation:
1) Calculate the final energy after the two masses collide
2) By how much is M2 compressed?
3) Describe the motion after M1 collides with M2
For inelastic situation:
1) Find the final velocity after the collision
2) Find the final momentum of the collision
No one has answered this question yet.
elastic.
1/2 M V1^2=1/2 M V1'^2+1/2 MV2'^2
and the conservation of momentum
MV1=MV1'+MV2'
V1=.8m/s
V1'=V1-V2' = .8-V2'
putting that into the first equation.
.8^2=(.8-V2')^2+V2'^2
solving that, V2'=.8m/s
so spring is compressed so that
1/2 kx^2=1/2 M V2'^2 solve for k
Inelastic (masses stuck?)
M*.8=2M (V2')
V2'=.4m/s