Calculate the maximum height that m1 and m2 rise after collision?

[kalisious]

Homework Statement

Consider a frictionless track. Imagine point A to B is one quarter of a circle; point B to C is a horizontal flat plane; point C to D is also one quarter of a circle.

The block m1 is released from A. It makes a head-on elastic collision at B with m2 (that is initially at rest) Calculate the maximum height to which m1 and m2 rise after collision.

m1 = 2kg
m2 = 10 kg
radius of quarter circles = 4.9 m

Homework Equations

p=mv

m1vf + m2vi = (m1 + m2)v

y=1/2 at^2

The Attempt at a Solution

I am not quite sure how to attempt a solution.

 

[Delphi51]

Can you find out how fast m1 is going after it falls through the quarter of a circle A to B? Then you could do conservation of momentum on the collision at B.

 

[kalisious]

I understand the equation for conservation of momentum, but how do I go about finding the velocity as you mentioned?

 

[Delphi51]

Draw the diagram. You should see how high above the BC horizontal section m1 is initially. From the initial height, you can calculate its speed after falling through the height either by using forces or energies.