Blocks A (mass 2.00 kg ) and B (mass 14.00 kg , to the right of A) move on a frictionless, horizontal surface. Initially, block B is moving to the left at 0.500 m/s and block A is moving to the right at 2.00 m/s. The blocks are equipped with ideal spring bumpers. The collision is headon, so all motion before and after it is along a straight line. Let +x be the direction of the initial motion of A. Part A Find the maximum energy stored in the spring bumpers.

7.72 Joules

Explanation:

Data:

mass of block A = 2.00 kg

mass of block B = 14.00 kg

velocity of block A = 2.00 m/s

velocity of block B = 0.500 m/s

The fundamental assumption is that there is elastic collision, therefore, the momentum and energy of the system are conserved.

Thus:

The kinetic energy is given by the following:

Therefore, the maximum energy is given by the following:

0 = 0.40 / 0 = 0

= 0.20 = 9.80 ⁄2 =?

=0 , = = 0.20 =0.50 0 0.40 ⁄

=0−122 =0−12(9.80 ⁄2)(0.50)2 =1.2