A 3 kg mass and a 10 kg mass are attached to each other by a spring with spring

Question

A 3 kg mass and a 10 kg mass are attached to each other by a spring with spring constant k=600N/mand placed on a frictionless table, as shown in the figure below. The masses are then pressed toward each other in such a way as to compress the spring 0.06 m .

Part A

Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of the smaller mass the moment after it is released.

Express your answer in meters per second squared to one significant figure.

Part B

Is the acceleration to the left or to the right?

Part C

Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of the larger mass the moment after it is released.

Express your answer in meters per second squared to two significant figures.

Part D

Is the acceleration to the left or to the right?

Explanation / Answer

part A)

k = 600 N/m

let the acceleration of smaller mass is a1

Using second law of motion

m1 * a1 = k * x

3 * a1 = 600 * 0.06

a1 = 12 m/s^2

the magnitude of acceleraiton of smaller mass is 12 m/s^2

part B)

the acceleration is to the left

part C)

for the larger mass

let the acceleraiton is a2

Using second law of motion

m2 * a2 = k * x

10 * a2 = 600 * 0.06

a1 = 3.6 m/s^2

the magnitude of the acceleration of the larger mass the moment after it is released is 3.6 m/s^2

part D)

the acceleration of the bigger mass is to the right

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