A 1.9 kg box moves back and forth on a horizontal frictionless surface between t

Question

A 1.9 kg box moves back and forth on a horizontal frictionless surface between two different springs, as shown in the accompanying figure. The box is initially pressed against the stronger spring, compressing it 3.9 cm, and then is released from rest.
By how much will the box compress the weaker spring?
What is the maximum speed the box will reach?

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http://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/150-kg-box-moves-forth-horizontal-frictionless-surface-different-springs-shown-accompanyin-q1189009.

Explanation / Answer

Without seeing the figure, it is hard to tell, especially since you didn't show how you solved the first part. Does the box leave the springs in the space between? If so, then the kinetic energy in that space equals the stored energy in the first (or second) spring. The stored energy is 0/5*k1*?x1²; the kinetic energy is 0.5*m*v². Equating these gives v = v[k1/m] * ?x1 = v[k2/m] * ?x2

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