Question

4. (20pts) In the Figure below, a m₁ = 3.2 kg box of running shoes slides on a horizontal frictionless table and collides with a m₂ = 2.0 kg box of ballet slippers initially at rest on the edge of the table, at height h = 0.40 m. The speed of the m₁ = 3.2 kg box is v₁ = 3.0 m/s just before the collision. If the two boxes stick together because of packing tape on their sides and leave the table horizontally:

a) What is their kinetic energy just before they strike the floor? (8pts)

b) How much energy was lost due to the collision between the two boxes? (6pts)

c) At what horizontal distance with respect to the edge of the table do they strike the floor? (6pts)

Express first your answers in terms of any or all of the variables m₁, m₂, v₁, h and g (acceleration due to gravity), and then their numerical values.

Answer 1

a. K= 29 J

b. dE = 5.97 J

c. x = 0.5142 m.