Solve Spring & Ball Puzzle: Find m1, m2, k & Sm1

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a physics problem involving two balls of varying masses (0.09 kg, 0.14 kg, 0.25 kg, 0.38 kg, 0.57 kg, and 0.9 kg) and four springs with stiffness values of 556 N/m, 918 N/m, 1110 N/m, and 1546 N/m. The objective is to determine the values of Sm1, m1, m2, and k while ensuring that the balls land within 0.007 m of their target buttons, which are 2 meters apart. Key calculations involve the time of fall (0.494619 s) and the application of force equations, specifically F = kX and conservation of energy principles related to the springs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as projectile motion and gravitational acceleration (g = 9.81 m/s²).
  • Familiarity with Hooke's Law and spring mechanics (F = kX).
  • Knowledge of energy conservation principles in mechanical systems.
  • Ability to solve quadratic equations and apply kinematic equations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the principles of conservation of energy in spring systems.
  • Learn about the dynamics of projectile motion and its equations.
  • Study the application of Hooke's Law in various mechanical contexts.
  • Investigate the effects of mass and spring stiffness on motion trajectories.
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in solving complex mechanics problems involving springs and projectile motion.

Peethassandwich
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1. You have one platform (1.2m high and 0.12m wide) and a few small balls of a different mass (0.09, 0.14, 0.25, 0.38, 0.57, 0.9 kg) that slide across the platform without friction and you have 4 springs with various stiffness (556, 918, 1110, 1546 N/m, ignore the mass of the spring). You can lay 2 balls on a platform (the heavier one on the left and the easier one on the right) and lay arbitrary spring on the platform squeezed by 0.02 m (the legth in its natural state is 0.1m). You have to (by using the spring) to make the balls fall from the platform onto the two buttons that are 2 metres apart from each other. If you want the ball to press the button it has to land max. 0,007m away from its centre. What is the value of Sm1, m1, m2 and k?
https://imageshack.com/i/eyledVFlp

I am really confused by this task so forgive me if you find some blunder in my solution
The first thing I am not sure about is whether the ball was still accelerating when it fell off the platform.
And since the force exerted on this ball behaved in a kind of "dirac delta" way I was wondering whether I could get this involved in calculating initial velocity of the ball. That is really the only thing I can't really figure out. I projected this motion into x-y plane and set up the following equations (let's say for the ball on the left):

X-axis sm1 = ? v(initial) = ? t = ?
Y-axis g = 9.81 m/s^2 d = 1.2 m v(initial) = 0 m/s
Then I used this equation : d = v(initial)*t + 1/2*g*t^2
so : 1.2 = 0.5*9.81*t^2
t = 0.494619 s
So according to this the ball was falling for 0.494619 s.
Then I tried to apply formula kX=ma but in this particular case I couldn't somehow get this thing involved since k,m,a are unknown.
X = 0.02m
F = k*X
F = 1/50*k
Thanks in advance for your help.

Edit : I posted an image as a reply since I couldn't display it in the problem.
 
Last edited:
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springs.png
 
The first problem you need to solve is how the energy of the spring will be shared out between the two balls. What conservation laws can you think of that might apply? Remember that the spring is not fixed to the platform, and you are to ignore its mass.
 

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