Need Help with These AP Physics Problems?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on solving AP Physics problems related to elastic and inelastic collisions involving multiple blocks. The first problem involves a speed amplifier scenario where block 1 of mass m1 collides elastically with block 2 of mass m2, which is stationary, followed by block 2 colliding with block 3 of mass m3. The second problem presents a speed deamplifier scenario with similar mechanics but different mass ratios. The third problem examines the maximum compression of a spring attached to a moving block during an inelastic collision, emphasizing the conservation of momentum and energy principles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of one-dimensional elastic collisions
  • Knowledge of conservation of momentum
  • Familiarity with inelastic collisions and energy conservation
  • Basic principles of spring mechanics and Hooke's Law
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of one-dimensional elastic collision calculations
  • Learn about conservation of momentum in multi-block systems
  • Explore the mechanics of inelastic collisions and energy transfer
  • Investigate spring dynamics and the application of Hooke's Law in collision scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for AP Physics exams, educators teaching physics concepts, and anyone interested in understanding collision mechanics and energy conservation in physics.

mrbetty16
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I need help with some of these problems. Any kind of help will be most appreciated

1. Speed amplifier. In Fig. 10-3, block 1 of mass m1 slides along an x-axis on a frictionless floor with a speed of v1i = 2.80 m/s. Then it undergoes a one-dimensional elastic collision with stationary block 2 of mass m2 = 0.200m1. Next, block 2 undergoes a one-dimensional elastic collision with stationary block 3 of mass m3 = 0.200m2

2. Speed deamplifier. In Fig. 10-5, block 1 of mass m1 slides along an x-axis on a frictionless floor with a speed of 2.40 m/s. Then it undergoes a one-dimensional elastic collision with stationary block 2 of mass m2 = 2.70m1. Next, block 2 undergoes a one-dimensional elastic collision with stationary block 3 of mass m3 = 2.70m2.

3. A block of mass m1 = 2.2 kg slides along a frictionless table with a speed of 8 m/s. Directly in front of it, and moving in the same direction, is a block of mass m2 = 5.0 kg moving at 2.8 m/s. A massless spring with spring constant k = 1100 N/m is attached to the near side of m2, as shown in Fig. 10-35. When the blocks collide, what is the maximum compression of the spring? (Hint: At the moment of maximum compression of the spring, the two blocks move as one. Find the velocity by noting that the collision is completely inelastic to this point.)
 
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1) Employ the idea of the conservation of momentum for the first problem:

m_{1}u_{1} + m_{2}u{2}=m_{1}v_{1} + m_{2}v{2} where u is the velocity before collision and v, the velocity after collision. Express all the masses in terms of m1.

2) I don't see how the 2nd problem differs from the first in terms of technique and theory.

3) Energy of the two blocks moving as one (ie inelastic collision) = Energy used to compress spring.
 

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