AP Physics Momentum, Impulse, Collisions, and Power

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 2K views
pandamonium_
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
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
 

Attachments

  • unknown.png
    unknown.png
    9.3 KB · Views: 207
Physics news on Phys.org
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##.