Two objects with masses m1 and m2 are at rest next to each other on a frictionle

Question

Two objects with masses m1 and m2 are at rest next to each other on a frictionless surface . A piston attached to m1 is released at time t=0 pushing m2 with a constant force F. The piston remains in contact with m2 for 1s. 1) What is the velocity of the center of mass of the two objects before the piston is released? 2) If after the piston is no longer in contact with m2, the velocity of m1 is v1 , and m2 is v2 . a) What is the direction of v1 and v2 ? b) What is the velocity of the center of mass of the two objects then in terms of m1, v1, m2, v2? 3) What is the relationship between vcm before and vcm after the release of the piston? 4) What is the relationship between v1 and v2 ?

Explanation / Answer

F * 1 = impulse= change in momentum

1) 0 m/s

2) a) opposite directions

b) V= (m1v1+m2v2) / (m1+m2)

3) vcm before and vcm after the release of the piston are equal to 0

4) m1v1 = - m2v2

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