Help with elastic collisions/kinetic energy problems

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The discussion revolves around three physics problems involving elastic collisions and energy conservation. The first problem requires calculating the final velocities of three blocks after an elastic collision, emphasizing the need for conservation of kinetic energy. The second problem involves a marble shot vertically, where participants must determine changes in gravitational and elastic potential energy, as well as the spring constant. The third problem focuses on projectile motion, asking for the angle of throw and the resulting motion of a person on ice after throwing a book. Participants are encouraged to show their attempts at solving these problems for better assistance.
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(1)Block A of mass mA = 1kg is moving at velocity +v (from left to right)
towards block B of mass mB = 2kg which is at rest. To the right of block B there is block
C. It is at rest and its mass is mC = 1kg. Find the ultimate velocities of all three masses
assuming all collisions are elastic (i.e. total kinetic energy does not change).

(2) A 0.05 kg marble is fired vertically upward using a spring gun. The spring
must be compressed 8 cm if the marble is to just reach a target 20 m above the marble’s
position on the compressed spring. (a) What is the change ∆Ugrav in the gravitational
potential energy of the marble-Earth system during 20 m ascent? (b) What is the change
∆Uelas in the elastic potential energy of the spring during its lunch of the marble? (c)
What the elastic (spring) constant of the spring?

(3) A person of mass M = 32.5 kg stands on ice and disdainfully throws my
favorite Leo Tolstoy’s book ”Anna Karenina” weighing m = 2.25kg with the initial velocity
v0 = 12m/s. The book is thrown from the ice level, so the initial height is zero. When the
book lands on the ice the total distance between the book and the offender is l = 15.2 m.
At what angle was this excellent book thrown? How fast is the offender moving?
 
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Show us your attempt for each problem and where you're having trouble.
 
PhilliesFan said:
(1)Block A of mass mA = 1kg is moving at velocity +v (from left to right)
towards block B of mass mB = 2kg which is at rest. To the right of block B there is block
C. It is at rest and its mass is mC = 1kg. Find the ultimate velocities of all three masses
assuming all collisions are elastic (i.e. total kinetic energy does not change).

(2) A 0.05 kg marble is fired vertically upward using a spring gun. The spring
must be compressed 8 cm if the marble is to just reach a target 20 m above the marble’s
position on the compressed spring. (a) What is the change ∆Ugrav in the gravitational
potential energy of the marble-Earth system during 20 m ascent? (b) What is the change
∆Uelas in the elastic potential energy of the spring during its lunch of the marble? (c)
What the elastic (spring) constant of the spring?

(3) A person of mass M = 32.5 kg stands on ice and disdainfully throws my
favorite Leo Tolstoy’s book ”Anna Karenina” weighing m = 2.25kg with the initial velocity
v0 = 12m/s. The book is thrown from the ice level, so the initial height is zero. When the
book lands on the ice the total distance between the book and the offender is l = 15.2 m.
At what angle was this excellent book thrown? How fast is the offender moving?
Hello PhilliesFan. Welcome to PF !

You need to make an honest attempt at a solution before we can help you -- it's a rule of this Forum.

It's also probably best to post each problem in its own thread.

The folks who set up this Forum have included a template to be used for each new thread. Please use it:

Homework Statement


Your statement of the problem goes here.

Homework Equations


Relevant equations, principles, etc. go here.

The Attempt at a Solution


Finally, show your attempt and/or what you know/don't know.
Thanks.

This is a very good site for getting help.
 
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