Collision with compressed spring · PhysicsBowl 2025 #29
Physics · mechanics
Problem
MA has a mass of 10 kg and slides to the right at 3 m/s across a level, frictionless surface towards MB that has a mass of 6 kg and is initially at rest. There is a massless, ideal spring with k=540 N/m on the left side of MB. The spring is initially compressed and held so that it will not release until the impact with MA. After the collision, MA is at rest. How far was the spring compressed from its natural length in meters?
a. 0.333
b. 0.200
c. 0.250
d. 0.111
e. 0.063