Two disks with masses m1 and m2 aremoving horizontally to the right at a speed of v0. They are on an air hockey table, which supports them with anessentially frictionless cushion of air. They move as a unit,with a compressed spring between them, which has a negligiblemass. Then the spring is released and allowed to push thedisks outward. Consider the situation where disk 1 comes to amementary halt shortly after the spring is released. Assumingthat m1 =1.2kg m2= 2.4kg and v0=+5.0 m/s, find the velocity of disk 2 at that moment?
Explanation / Answer
by using the conservation of momentum (m1+m2)*5=m1*0+m2*v => v=7.5m/s