Answer to Question #168182 in Physics for van

Question

Two blocks of masses ma = 2.90 kg and me = 6.30 kg are connected by a light string that passes over a frictionless pulley. The block ma resting on a frictionless horizontal tabletop is attached and forced against a horizontal spring of negligible mass with one end fastened on the wall (Figure 3.11) and with force m constant of 370 N/m. When the spring is compressed to 15 cm, the system is suddenly released. Using the principle of energy conservation, (a) what is the speed of the block ma when the spring reaches equilibrium? (b) As block me continues to descend, the spring is also stretched to the right by ma. What is the maximum distance the spring will be stretched?

Answer 1

a)

$$0.5m_av^2=0.5kx^2\\2.9v^2=(370)(0.15)^2\\v=1.69\frac{m}{s}$$

b)

$$m_bg=ky\\6.3(9.8)=370y\\y=0.167\ m$$