In: Physics
A mass of 1.20 kg is attached to a horizontal spring with a spring constant of 125 N/m. It is stretched to a length of 20.0 cm and released from rest.
a) Write down an equation for the position and velocity of the block as a function of time. b) What is the maximum magnitude of acceleration that the block experiences? Is this consistent with Hooke’s Law? c) When the block is to the right of the equilibrium position with a speed of 1.00 m/s to the left, a ball with a mass of 50.0 g and a speed of 10.0 m/s to the right hits (and sticks) to the block. After the collision, the system still oscillates following simple harmonic motion. What is the new amplitude of the system? Hint: Find the position at which the collision occurs, and then find the velocity of the block+ball after the collision. You can find the new amplitude using energy considerations.