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The mass m_1 enters from the left with velocity v_0 and strikes a mass m_2 > m_1

ID: 1534997 • Letter: T

Question

The mass m_1 enters from the left with velocity v_0 and strikes a mass m_2 > m_1 which is initially at rest. The collision between the blocks is perfectly elastic. The mass m_2 then compresses the spring an amount x. Immediately after the collision, the energy of m_2 is _____the initial energy of m_1 Immediately after colliding with m_2 the mass m_1 moves to the left. Immediately after the collision, the momentum of m_2 is ______the initial momentum of m_1 The maximum energy stored in the spring is ______the initial energy of m_1.

Explanation / Answer

1) less than

after the collision, v2 = 2*m1*vo/(m1+m2)

2) True

v1 = (m1 -m2)*vo/(m1+m2)


3) greater than

because, m1*vo = m1*v1 + m2*v2

4) less than

because, initial kinetic energy of m1 > final kinetic energy of m2