Identical ideal springs are initially compressed and connected to two boxes with different masses \((m_1 \gt m_2)\text{,}\) as shown in the figure below. Each block is released from rest and allowed to move until it stops speeding up. Consider system 1 consisting of block 1 and its corresponding spring and system 2 consisting of block 2 and its corresponding spring.
Figure10.2.1.
A. Energy
For the intervals during which each box is speeding up, is the change in total energy of system 1 greater than, less than, or equal to the change in total energy of system 2?
A. Momentum
For the intervals during which each box is speeding up, is the magnitude of the change in momentum of system 1 greater than, less than, or equal to the magnitude of the change in momentum of system 2?
SubsectionA*R*C*S Activity
A*R*C*S10.2.2.Pendulum Collision.
The ball of mass \(m_1\) shown below is attached to the ceiling and released from rest. It eventually collides elastically with a ball of mass \(m_2\) hanging vertically. The length of each string is \(L\text{.}\) Determine the maximum height each ball reaches after the collision.
Figure10.2.2.
Activity10.2.3.Metacognitive Reflection.
You have now learned several different ways to analyze a context: forces, energy, and momentum. All three of them are valid, but they are not all equally useful in different situations. Write a few sentences summarizing when and how you want to use each strategy going forward.
