Two carts on a frictionless AIR Track held together then released with a sping.

[SharpCode]

Homework Statement

Two carts 'a' and 'b' are floating on a frictionless air-track and are stationary. 'a' is three times the mass of 'b'. They are being held together and there is a spring between them. The carts are released. Describe what happens after the release.

Homework Equations

Im guessing the usual Kinetic Energy equations are relevant here

The Attempt at a Solution

Well not sure if i am on to something but cart B will definitely go further than cart A as it weighs less and the acceleration of Cart B will be significantly quicker too. But i am confused with the forces acting on them in this situation. It says to describe only but want to know a bit more detail if possible.

 

[sas3]

I am very tired and read this message as "two (cats) on a frictionless AIR Track held together then released with a spring", and had a good laugh, thinking if they were alive or dead.

LOL

 

[SharpCode]

I thought i had misspelled something for a second :p

 

[sas3]

You did "spring" not sping.

Oh, Carts not Cats... LOL

I suppose none of this is helping to answer your questions though...sorry about that.
Of-coarse it is getting your question viewed by bumping it up in the new messages.

 

[Villyer]

You could apply conservation of momentum here. Also, that whole 'for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction' thing could help with figuring out the forces on each.