Mass collides with spring and mass

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The discussion focuses on a collision between two blocks, m1 (1.60 kg) and m2 (2.10 kg), involving a spring with a constant of 600 N/m. Block m1 moves to the right at +4.00 m/s and block m2 moves to the left at -2.50 m/s. To determine the velocity of block m2 when block m1 is moving at +3.00 m/s, participants suggest using conservation of momentum and conservation of energy principles to establish two equations for the two unknowns. The kinetic energy (KE) and elastic potential energy (PE) formulas are also referenced for calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum
  • Familiarity with conservation of energy principles
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy (KE) and elastic potential energy (PE) equations
  • Basic grasp of spring dynamics and Hooke's Law
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conservation of momentum in collision scenarios
  • Learn how to apply conservation of energy in mechanical systems
  • Explore the calculations involved in spring compression using Hooke's Law
  • Practice solving problems involving multiple bodies and energy transformations
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding dynamics of collisions and energy conservation in mechanical systems.

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A block of mass m1=1.60kg initially moving to the right with a speed of +4.00m/s on a frictionless horizontal track collides with a spring attached to a second block of mass m2=2.10kg initially moving to the left with a speed of -2.50m/s. The spring constant is 600N/m. At the instant block 1 is moving to the right with a speed of +3.00m/s, determine the velocity of block 2. Determine the distance the spring is compressed at that instant.

KE=1/2mv^2
Elastic PE=1/2Kx^2
Fp=Kx
Fs=-Kx

I'm going to start with conservation of energy, but this is too complex of a system for me to even begin. A step by step of how to set up this equation would be most helpful. Thank you all for your help!

 
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Try conservation of momentum.
 
Use both conservation of energy and comservation of momentum to get 2 equations for the 2 unknowns.
 

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