W=Espring + Ek. Ek=1/2(mtotal)(vf)^2 and Espring=1/2(k)(x^2)
To calculate spring energy I need the k value, right? because Espring=1/2*k*x^2. Since I do not have a k value given in the question, how else could I calculate the energy in the spring?
centre of mass moves 0.4m. I got that through reasoning. Since the initial COM is at 25cm, and the final is at 15cm for the spring and the cart moved 20cm to compress the spring to 30 cm, then COM moved 10cm. Then the system continued moving for another 30cm, so the net COM displacement must be...
Homework Statement
Two identical 0.50-kg carts, each 0.10 m long, are at rest on a low-friction track and are connected by a spring that is initially at its relaxed length of 0.50 m and is of negligible inertia. You give the cart on the left a push to the right (that is, toward the other cart)...