In: Physics
A mass; m1 = 64 g, sits on a frictionless horizontal surface, and is attached to a spring of spring constant k = 51 N/m. The other end of the horizontal spring is attached to a wall; the system is in equilibrium. Another mass; m2 = 18 g, strikes the stationary mass m1, and sticks to it. As a result, the spring is compressed by a distance of 24.5 cm before the masses come to a momentary stop.
a) How fast was m2 moving before the collision?
b)How long does it take the masses to come to a momentary stop after the collision?