How Does a Spring Affect Cart Velocity After Collision?

louise82 · Mar 20, 2008

If two carts collide and cart 1 has a spring on it, how can I figure out the final velocity of the first cart?

Doc Al · Mar 20, 2008

What's conserved?

louise82 · Mar 20, 2008

kinetic energy and momentum

louise82 · Mar 20, 2008

what's throwing me off is the spring...

the carts are initially at rest together, then the spring on cart 1 is released.

Doc Al · Mar 20, 2008

louise82 said:

the carts are initially at rest together, then the spring on cart 1 is released.

I thought you said they collided?

louise82 said:

kinetic energy and momentum

Momentum, yes. Kinetic energy, no. (They start at rest, then begin to move.) Hint: Consider the energy stored in the compressed spring.

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