Question

In a lab experiment, two identical gliders on an air track are held together by a piece of string, compressing a spring between the gliders. While they are moving to the right at a common speed of 0.500 m/s, one student holds a match under the string and burns it, letting the spring force the gliders apart. One glider is then observed to be moving to the right at 1.300 m/s. (the string and spring both have negligible mass).

a) What velocity does the other glider have? Enter a positive value if the velocity is toward right and enter a negative value if the velocity is toward left.

b) What is the ratio between the total kinetic energy of the two gliders after the string is burned to the total kinetic energy of the gliders before the string is burned?

c) If the total kinetic energy of the two gliders after the collision is greater, where did the extra energy come from? If less, where did the “lost” energy go?

Answer 1