kle89
Mar18-07, 03:53 PM
Problem
One block (3kg) is moving at 8m/s on a frictionless plane to collide with another block at rest with the same mass, but has a spring in front of it. Spring constant = 6 N/m
a. Determine the maximum distance the spring is compressed.
b. Determine the final velocities of the blocks after the collision. You should assume that the 1 kg and 2 kg blocks remain stuck together.
Honestly i have no idea how to set the equation up? Would i use 1/2mv^2' = 1/2kx^s + 1/2mv^2 to find the distance of the spring? The problem is i wouldn't know what the final velocity would be after hitting the spring so i can't solve exactly for x. Also the other block with the spring could move after the collision so wouldn't its velocity be equal to that of the original block after hitting the spring but in the opposite direction? Any hints to get me on the right track would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
One block (3kg) is moving at 8m/s on a frictionless plane to collide with another block at rest with the same mass, but has a spring in front of it. Spring constant = 6 N/m
a. Determine the maximum distance the spring is compressed.
b. Determine the final velocities of the blocks after the collision. You should assume that the 1 kg and 2 kg blocks remain stuck together.
Honestly i have no idea how to set the equation up? Would i use 1/2mv^2' = 1/2kx^s + 1/2mv^2 to find the distance of the spring? The problem is i wouldn't know what the final velocity would be after hitting the spring so i can't solve exactly for x. Also the other block with the spring could move after the collision so wouldn't its velocity be equal to that of the original block after hitting the spring but in the opposite direction? Any hints to get me on the right track would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.