Recent content by Physicscookie

One students argument in the change of U should be negative since in the end there is less potential energy... Another approach was to calculate the total energy 1/2 ma+mbv2 which ends up being 13.5 and since Emech =U + K U = -13.5

If wouldn't that equate to them having the same kinetic energy? but since they are both moving at the same speed with different masses it can't equal zero?

I present the following problem to my AP and have received a variety of answers, being a new physics teacher I am not sure that my answer is correct. I would love to see the solution and justification. Thanks One attempt based on the inference that one block is gaining U (A) and the...

Hi Guys, I am a new AP Physics teacher, I have been teaching chemistry for 15 years. In an effort to challenge my students I often come across problems that I am not skilled enough at this point to solve. I hope this forum can help. Barbara