The problem involves two blocks with masses m1=4.0kg and m2=5.0kg connected by a rope, sliding down a frictionless wedge at angles of 37 degrees and 53 degrees, respectively. The objective is to determine the speed of m2 after it has moved 40.0cm along the incline, starting from rest.
Participants are actively engaging with the problem, exploring different interpretations of energy conservation. Some have calculated potential energy for m2 and are attempting to set up the energy equations, while others are clarifying the roles of kinetic and potential energy for both masses. There is no explicit consensus yet, but the discussion is progressing with various insights being shared.
Participants are working under the assumption that the system is frictionless and that energy is conserved. There is ongoing discussion about the reference point for height and the implications of starting from rest.
FurFur said:After I've substituted the numbers I get:
15.68 - 9.408= 2v1^2' + 2.5v2^2'
im not sure what to do with the right side mathematically
FurFur said:well v1 and v2 must be the same.
15.68 - 9.408= 2 (v1^2' + 1.25v2^2')
this still leaves me with 2 unknowns..but both unknowns are equal..hmm
FurFur said:oh right! Okay so the equation is:
15.68 - 9.408= 2v^2 + 2.5v^2
6.272= 4.5v^2
6.272/4.5 = v^2
1.39]square root = v
1.18 m/s= v
that seems right.
FurFur said:right, since m2 is going down and m1 is going up. It makes perfect sense. Well thank you so much for the help:) and for ur time, it took a while (what a tedious question -_-.. maybe because I am reali slow at physics). By the way, how would I mark that the question has been solved?