Question

As shown in the figure below, two blocks m1 and m2 are each released from rest at a height of h·3.08 m on a frictionless track and when they meet on the horizontal section of the track they undergo an elastic collision. If m1 = 2.50 kg and m2 = 5.15 kg, determine the maximum heights (in m) to which they rise after the collision. Use the coordinate system shown in the figure. Yir The problem may be divided into three steps. Step one, the blocks slide down the curve and onto the horizontal section of the track. What physical quantities are conserved for this step of the problem? See if you can write an appropriate conservation statement for this step that will allow you to determine the x component of the velocity of the blocks on the horizontal section of track and going into the collision. Step two, the blocks undergo an elastic collision on the horizontal section of the track. What physical quantities are conserved for this step of the problem? See if you can write appropriate conservation statements for this step of the problem that will allow you to determine the x component of the velocity of the blocks after the collision. Step three, the blocks slide back up the curved section of the track. How is this step similar to and different from the first step? What physical quantities are conserved for this step of the problem? See if you can write an appropriate conservation statement for this step that will allow you to determine the final height the blocks reach as they travel back up the curved section of the track. m Y2r Additional Materials

Answer 1