Equal Heights for Two Masses on a Spring: A Question of Energy?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two masses, A and B, placed on a vertical spring. The original poster questions why both masses rise to the same height after the spring is compressed and released, despite mass A being greater than mass B. The context involves concepts of energy, potential energy, and kinetic energy in relation to spring mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between mass, energy, and height achieved by the masses. Questions arise regarding the speed of the masses when they lose contact with the spring and how initial velocity influences the height of a projectile.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants engaging in reasoning about the energy dynamics of the system. Some guidance has been offered regarding the role of initial velocity in determining height, and there is an acknowledgment of the differing energy levels of the two masses.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of mass differences on energy and height, while also referencing relevant equations of motion and energy conservation principles. There is an ongoing examination of assumptions related to the behavior of the masses in the system.

Sho Kano
Messages
372
Reaction score
3

Homework Statement


Two masses A, and B both sit on a vertical spring. If the spring is compressed then released, why do A and B rise to the same height? (the mass of A is greater than that of B)

Homework Equations


P = mgh
S = 1/2kx2
K = 1/2mv2

The Attempt at a Solution


Both masses rise to the same height, I treated the two blocks as a system, because the spring propels them both in the air. Why is this? How much energy does each block have?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sho Kano said:

Homework Statement


Two masses A, and B both sit on a vertical spring. If the spring is compressed then released, why do A and B rise to the same height? (the mass of A is greater than that of B)

Homework Equations


P = mgh
S = 1/2kx2
K = 1/2mv2

The Attempt at a Solution


Both masses rise to the same height, I treated the two blocks as a system, because the spring propels them both in the air. Why is this? How much energy does each block have?
Would you expect them to be traveling at the same speed when contact with the spring is lost?
 
haruspex said:
Would you expect them to be traveling at the same speed when contact with the spring is lost?
Intuitively yes?
 
Sho Kano said:
Intuitively yes?
Ok, so using the SUVAT equations, what determines the height to which a projectile rises?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Sho Kano
haruspex said:
Ok, so using the SUVAT equations, what determines the height to which a projectile rises?
Initial velocity
 
Sho Kano said:
Initial velocity
Putting that together with your answer in post #3, does that answer your question?
 
haruspex said:
Putting that together with your answer in post #3, does that answer your question?
Yes! But from an energy point of view, mass A has more energy right?
 
Sho Kano said:
Yes! But from an energy point of view, mass A has more energy right?
Yes.
 

Similar threads

Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
6K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
3K
Replies
24
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K