Two objects attached with a spring
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Homework Help Overview
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two objects attached by a spring on a frictionless surface. The original poster describes the scenario where one object is released, and the task is to find the maximum acceleration of the second object after the first reaches its equilibrium position.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking
Approaches and Questions Raised
- Participants explore various equations related to energy conservation and motion, questioning the definitions and roles of variables such as acceleration and spring compression. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between the center of mass and the individual accelerations of the objects.
Discussion Status
The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on systematically approaching the problem. Some express confusion about the forces acting on the system and the implications for the center of mass, while others suggest focusing on relative velocities and the conservation of energy principles.
Contextual Notes
Participants note the absence of external forces acting on the system, which raises questions about the acceleration of the center of mass and the motion of the objects involved. There is also mention of the need for clearer definitions of variables and a complete problem statement to facilitate understanding.
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Those images are simply unreadable. Please make the effort to type your equations in. Use parentheses, superscript (X2) and subscript (X2) as appropriate.giokrutoi said:hey I guess I found solution I realized that I had to choose reference frame on center of mass
are my conclusion write
Diagrams would be good, but draw them in black and try to get the lighting even on the page.
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Yes, this readable.giokrutoi said:I rewrote it
is it readable?
Check the signs in the first equation on the right hand page.
Some places you write "due to centre of mass" where I think you mean "relative to centre of mass".
Other than that, you seem to be on the right track now.
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in relation to center of mass I think i have to subtract velocity of center of mass
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Actually, it's not a sign issue, but something is wrong.giokrutoi said:I think all signs are write
in relation to center of mass I think i have to subtract velocity of center of mass
You defined v1 as the velocity of the mass centre after releasing m2, and v as the velocity of m1 at the moment of release. Thus you should have m1v=(m1+m2)v1.
v and v1 are fixed, but v2 varies, so the equation cannot be right. Do you use that equation?
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I understand Russian. Show the original problem, please.giokrutoi said:do you know Russian
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Wrong conclusion. Since v2 varies the equation is wrong. If you want to change the equation by replacing the reference to v2 to a reference to v2, max then that could be OK, but you should show some justification. At the moment I cannot see where the equation comes from.giokrutoi said:if both v and v1 is fixed v2 should also be fixed but it varies so it's magnitude derived from formula of conversation of momentum it may be maximal
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Thank you.giokrutoi said:here is Russian version
Two blocks connected by a spring are placed on a horizontal table. m1= 0.9 kg, m2= 1.6 kg, the spring constant is k=20 N/m.
Initially the spring is held compressed by 10 cm. Then the first block is released and when the spring gets relaxed, the second one is also released. What is the maximum magnitude of acceleration of the second block during the further motion of the system?
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what can you say about solution
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That is right, for the magnitude of accelerations. And ma=F. What is the force acting on the blocks?giokrutoi said:maybe m1a1=m2a2
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aren't solutions by momentum and center of mass write?ehild said:That is right, for the magnitude of accelerations. And ma=F. What is the force acting on the blocks?
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I can not follow your argument. The momentum of the whole system is constant after both blocks has been released, but it is zero in the center of mass frame of reference only. The spring force and the accelerations are the same in all inertial frames of reference. You have to give the maximum acceleration of block 2.
The center of mass moves with constant velocity and the blocks perform simple harmonic motion with respect to the center. During that motion, the spring gets compressed, gets relaxed and gets stretched. What is the maximum compression, and what is the spring force then? What are the accelerations of the blocks?
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and yes I mean right when I write write
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Yes, but you need to calculate the compression in meters, and that should be multiplied by k=20 N/m.giokrutoi said:maximal compression may be 10 centimeters and if that's true force should be 10 centimeter multiplied by k and acceleration of second mass should be this magnitude divided by m2
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That simple analysis is attractive, but incorrect. After m1 is released and before m2 is released, m1 is undergoing simple harmonic motion. It is easy to see that the maximal compression is 10 cm shorter than relaxed and that the maximal extension is 10 cm longer than relaxed. This motion can optionally be maintained for many cycles before m2 is finally released.giokrutoi said:maximal compression may be 10 centimeters and if that's true force should be 10 centimeter multiplied by k and acceleration of second mass should be this magnitude divided by m2
and yes I mean right when I write write
When m2 is released, the spring is at its relaxed length. If m2 were still held stationary, the spring would eventually extend 10 cm longer than relaxed. But because m2 has been released, we are no longer assured that this will be the case.
One line of analysis that indicates that it cannot be the case is based on energy. Think initially about the state with mass m2 pinned in place. In its compressed state, the spring has a certain amount of potential energy. That amount of energy can be calculated based on the 10 cm number and the spring constant. In its extended state, the spring has that same amount of potential energy. In both cases the system has zero kinetic energy. All of the energy is in the spring.
The pin holding m2 in place is doing no work. It applies a force, but it is motionless. Following release the pin holding m2 in place still does no work. Accordingly, energy is conserved within the m1, m2, spring system both before and after the release of m2.
If m1 and m2 were both motionless then the spring would have to extend or compress to the full 10 cm in order for energy to be conserved. But as long as either are in motion, the spring cannot ever extend that far without violating energy conservation. But momentum is conserved following release of m2, so it can never be the case that both m1 and m2 are motionless following the release of m2.
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I understood what you have said and may guess was very silly but how can I solve this problem i wrote conservation of momentum up in commentary's and some of them said it was wrongjbriggs444 said:That simple analysis is attractive, but incorrect. After m1 is released and before m2 is released, m1 is undergoing simple harmonic motion. It is easy to see that the maximal compression is 10 cm shorter than relaxed and that the maximal extension is 10 cm longer than relaxed. This motion can optionally be maintained for many cycles before m2 is finally released.
When m2 is released, the spring is at its relaxed length. If m2 were still held stationary, the spring would eventually extend 10 cm longer than relaxed. But because m2 has been released, we are no longer assured that this will be the case.
One line of analysis that indicates that it cannot be the case is based on energy. Think initially about the state with mass m2 pinned in place. In its compressed state, the spring has a certain amount of potential energy. That amount of energy can be calculated based on the 10 cm number and the spring constant. In its extended state, the spring has that same amount of potential energy. In both cases the system has zero kinetic energy. All of the energy is in the spring.
The pin holding m2 in place is doing no work. It applies a force, but it is motionless. Following release the pin holding m2 in place still does no work. Accordingly, energy is conserved within the m1, m2, spring system both before and after the release of m2.
If m1 and m2 were both motionless then the spring would have to extend or compress to the full 10 cm in order for energy to be conserved. But as long as either are in motion, the spring cannot ever extend that far without violating energy conservation. But momentum is conserved following release of m2, so it can never be the case that both m1 and m2 are motionless following the release of m2.
so please if you can read my upper comments and tell me were my conclusions wrong or not
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giokrutoi said:yes I forgot that but I don't think that it's the write solution because that 10 centimeters are maximal extension for both but not for m2
I was going to point this out, but ehild has done so previously.ehild said:Do you mean "right" when you write "write"?
"Right" = Correct ≠ "Write"
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ok I made mistake sorrySammyS said:I was going to point this out, but ehild has done so previously.
"Right" = Correct ≠ "Write"
Right ?
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but what can you say about soluteSammyS said:I was going to point this out, but ehild has done so previously.
"Right" = Correct ≠ "Write"
Right ?
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Too many helpers at one time is not good.giokrutoi said:but what can you say about solute
ehild and briggs are excellent.
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but whom should I trust they are saying opposite thingsSammyS said:Too many helpers at one time is not good.
ehild and briggs are excellent.
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We are saying identical things.giokrutoi said:but whom should I trust they are saying opposite things
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but you say that it is impossible 10cm to be maximal extentionjbriggs444 said:We are saying identical things.
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