An object with mass m 1 = 9.00 kg is in equilibrium while connected to a horizon
ID: 2279143 • Letter: A
Question
An object with mass m1 = 9.00 kg is in equilibrium while connected to a horizontal light spring of constant K= 100 N/m that is fastend to a wall. A second object, of mass m2= 7.00 kg, is slowly pushed up against m1, compressing the spring by the amount A = 0.200 m. The system is then released, and both objects start moving to the right on the frictionless surface.
a) When m1 reaches equilibrium point, m2 loses contact with m1 and moves to the right with speedv. Determine the value of v.
b) How far apart are the objects when the spring is fully stretched for the fist time.
Show all work and steps.
Explanation / Answer
We will apply conservation of energy.
When the spring is compressed, it will gain some potential energy.
When the spring regains its natural length, it will do work on masses to increase their kinetic energy.
They will lose contact with each other when the spring comes to its natural length because after getting natural length, the spring will pull the m1 block whereas there is no one to pull m2.
Also, their velocities will be equal.
kx