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A 1.5 kg box moves back and forth on a horizontal frictionless surface between t

ID: 1357136 • Letter: A

Question

A 1.5 kg box moves back and forth on a horizontal frictionless surface between two different springs as shown. The box is initially pressed against the stronger spring compressing it 4.0 cm, and then is released from rest. (a) By how much will the box compress the weaker spring? (b) What is the maximum speed the box will reach? A 1.5 kg box moves back and forth on a horizontal frictionless surface between two different springs as shown. The box is initially pressed against the stronger spring compressing it 4.0 cm, and then is released from rest. (a) By how much will the box compress the weaker spring? (b) What is the maximum speed the box will reach? A 1.5 kg box moves back and forth on a horizontal frictionless surface between two different springs as shown. The box is initially pressed against the stronger spring compressing it 4.0 cm, and then is released from rest. (a) By how much will the box compress the weaker spring? (b) What is the maximum speed the box will reach?

Explanation / Answer

A. PE1 = k1x1^2/2 PE2 = PE1 = k2x2^2/2 ==> x2 = sqrt(2PE1/k2) = sqrt(k1x1^2/k2) B. KE = mv^2/2 ==> v = sqrt(2KE/m) Since KE = PE1, v = sqrt(k1x1^2/m)