Two blocks with different masses are presses against two springs that are attach

Question

Two blocks with different masses are presses against two springs that are attached at the opposite ends to horizontal tracks. the two springs differ in stiffness (how difficult it is to stretch or compress the springs, and they are compressed at different lengths.) The block with the larger mass is compressing the less stiff spring. The blocks are released and their energy of motion is measured just as each block loses contact with the spring. The two blocks are found to have the same energy of motion.

What do you think the phrase "the blocks have the same energy of motion" means?

How do you think the speeds of the blocks will compare when they leave the springs and why?

The tracks the blocks are on now has an incline of 10 degrees.The blocks again compress their springs by the same length they did above. When released which block do you think will go higher on the incline and why?

Explanation / Answer

a) Samr energy of motion means same kinetic energy for both blocks

b) smaller block will have more speed because it has less mass but equal kinetic energy as larger block.

c) Kinetic energy of larger block initially is less beacuse it is compressed against spring of lower spring constant and equal length. Also since mass is more, initial speed of larger block will be less than initial speed of smaller block.

Both blocks have same decelaration = -gsin(10).

2as = v2-u2

s = u2/2gsin(10)

more initial speed means more distance up the incline, so smaller block will move higher on the incline.

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