In: Physics
Two blocks of masses m and 3m are placed on a frictionless, horizontal surface. A light spring is attached to the more massive block, and the blocks are pushed together with the spring between them as shown in the figure below. A cord initially holding the blocks together is burned; after that happens, the block of mass 3m moves to the right with a speed of v with arrow3m = 1.70 m/s.
(a) What is the velocity of the block of mass m? (Assume right is positive and left is negative.) _____ m/s
(b) Find the system's original elastic potential energy, taking m = 0.380 kg. _____ J
(c) Is the original energy in the spring or in the cord? in the spring in the cord
(d) Explain your answer to part (c). .
(e) Is the momentum of the system conserved in the bursting-apart process? Yes No
(f) Explain how that is possible considering there are large forces acting. (g) Explain how that is possible considering there is no motion beforehand and plenty of motion afterward?