Question

An object of mass m1 approaches with velocity v1 another object of mass m2, which is at rest, next to a spring having force constant k. The spring is fixed to a wall and m2 can compress the spring. This is one-dim horizontal collision without friction. We consider two collision scenarios, one which is perfectly inelastic, and the other which is elastic. (a) In the first collision case the object m1 strikes m2 and sticks. Moving together, they compress the spring. Find the velocity u of both m1 and m2 just after the collision. (b) Find the distance A1 through which the spring is compressed. (c) In the second collision case, object m1 bounces off m2 elastically: the total kinetic energy is conserved. Find the velocities u1 and u2 of both objects just after the collision. (d) Find the distance A2 to which the object m2 compresses the spring. (e) Under what condition imposed on the masses m1 and m2 will A1=A2?

Answer 1