AP Physics Momentum, Impulse, Collisions, and Power

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the inability to solve a physics problem involving momentum, impulse, collisions, and power due to a lack of specific values for mass and displacement. Participants emphasize that without additional information, such as the two masses or a relevant sketch, the problem cannot be numerically resolved. They suggest expressing answers in terms of the variables m1 and m2 instead. The absence of context or connections to earlier problems further complicates the situation. Ultimately, the consensus is that the problem is unsolvable in its current form without more data.
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Homework Statement
How to solve? I don't know how to do it as mass is not given and the distance of the spring is not given either. May be impossible to solve (teacher is not the most cautious)
Relevant Equations
P=mv
KE = 1/2mv^2
U=1/2kx^2
1/2mv^2 = 1/2mv^2 - 1/2kx^2 but can't plug in numbers for x or m

mv+mv=mv+mv but no mass given

very lost
 

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Without more information (like the two masses) you can't solve anything. Do earlier problems introduce something? Is there a sketch that might have information?

You could express all answers as function of m1 and m2, of course.
 
mfb said:
Without more information (like the two masses) you can't solve anything. Do earlier problems introduce something? Is there a sketch that might have information?

You could express all answers as function of m1 and m2, of course.

Unfortunately, my teacher didn't provide any other information besides the question found in the picture. There's no image or sketch that my teacher provided, nor do they connect to previous questions. I'm guessing that this is simply impossible to solve (other than answering as functions of m1 and etc)
 
Being in your situation, rather than giving numerical responses, I would solve each question as function of ##m_1## and ##m_2##.
 
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