# Conservation of momentum and SHM

1. May 7, 2016

### erisedk

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Two point masses m1 and m2 are coupled by a spring of spring constant k and uncompressed length L0. The spring is fully compressed and a thread ties the masses together with negligible separation between them. The tied assembly is moving in the +x direction with uniform speed v0. At a time, say t = 0, it is passing the origin and at that instant the thread breaks. The masses, attached to the spring, start oscillating. The displacement of mass m1 is given by x1 (t) = v0t - A(1-cos(ωt)) where A is a constant. Find (i) the displacement x2(t) of mass m2, and (ii) the relationship between A and L0.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
First part is easy. Using
$x_{cm} = \dfrac{m_1x_1 + m_2x_2}{m_1 + m_2}$
and substituting $x_{cm} = v_0t$ and $x_1= v_0t - A(1-\cos{ωt})$
we get $x_2 = v_0t + \dfrac{m_1}{m_2}.A(1-\cos{wt})$

However, I'm not sure what to do for part (ii). I suppose it involves using the energy equation, but that isn't really working out because of the $t$ (time). I think we might have to minimise or maximise something, in any case, I'm not sure how to proceed. Please help.

2. May 7, 2016

3. May 7, 2016

### erisedk

Sorry. I forgot to post the working.
Conserving energy at t=0 and t=t,

$\dfrac{1}{2}.k{L_0}^2 + \dfrac{1}{2}(m_1 + m_2){v_0}^2 = \dfrac{1}{2}k{(L_0 - |x_2 - x_1|)}^2 + \dfrac{1}{2}m_1{v_1}^2 + \dfrac{1}{2}m_2{v_2}^2$

where $v_1 = v_0 - Aω\sin{ωt}$ and $v_2 = v_0 + A\dfrac{m_1}{m_2}ω\sin{ωt}$

This is just terrible.
So, I'm thinking there is definitely some optimisation involved, something like $\sin{ωt} = 0$ or $\cos{ωt} = 0$ but I'm not seeing what.

4. May 7, 2016

### haruspex

It is not a question of optimisation. You need to pick a particular time t to compare with t=0.