The discussion revolves around the dynamics of a coupled system involving two blocks of different masses, specifically focusing on the gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy as one block drops a certain distance. The original poster is attempting to calculate the velocity of a 1-kg block after it has dropped 0.54 m, while considering the effects of the coupled system on energy calculations.
Participants are actively questioning assumptions about the motion of the blocks and the nature of their coupling. Some guidance has been provided regarding the need to consider the system as a whole rather than treating the blocks separately. There is an ongoing exploration of how gravitational potential energy changes for each block and how that affects their kinetic energy.
There is confusion regarding the direction of motion and the impact of the blocks being coupled. Participants are also grappling with the implications of using gravitational acceleration in their calculations, especially in the context of one block moving upwards while the other moves downwards.
Bad wording on my part, since kinetic energy is defined as 1/2 mv^2, wouldn't the 3.5kg block receive more of the system's kinetic energy since it has more mass, and both are moving at the same velocity?vela said:Faster than what?
volcore said:Bad wording on my part, since kinetic energy is defined as 1/2 mv^2, wouldn't the 3.5kg block receive more of the system's kinetic energy since it has more mass, and both are moving at the same velocity?
So where do I go from there?PeroK said:Yes, exactly.
volcore said:So where do I go from there?
Would this be right:
(2.5kg)g(0.54m) = 1/2 m1v1^2 + 1/2m2v2^2
1.35g = 3.75v1^2 + 0.5v2^2?