Question 13 Marks
Two blocks of masses $m_1$ and $m_2$ are connected by a spring of spring constant $k.$ The block of mass $m_2$ is given a sharp impulse so that it acquires a velocity $v_0$ towards right. Find

- The velocity of the centre of mass.
- The maximum elongation that the spring will suffer.

Answer

$\Rightarrow\Big(\frac{1}{2}\Big)\text{m}_2\text{v}_0^2-\Big(\frac{1}{2}\Big)(\text{m}_1+\text{m}_2)\Big(\frac{\text{m}_2\text{v}_0}{\text{m}_1+\text{m}_2}\Big)^2=\Big(\frac{1}{2}\Big)\text{kx}^2$
$\Rightarrow\text{m}_2\text{v}_0^2\Big(1-\frac{\text{m}_2}{\text{m}_1+\text{m}_2}\Big)=\text{kx}^2$
$\Rightarrow\text{x}=\Big(\frac{\text{m}_1\text{m}_2}{\text{m}_1+\text{m}_2}\Big)^{\frac{1}{2}}\times\text{v}_0$
View full question & answer→- $\therefore$ Velocity of centre of mass $=\frac{\text{m}_2\times\text{v}_0+\text{m}_1\times0}{\text{m}_1+\text{m}_2}=\frac{\text{m}_2\text{v}_0}{\text{m}_1+\text{m}_2}$
- The spring will attain maximum elongation when both velocity of two blocks will attain the velocity of centre of mass.
- $x \rightarrow$ maximum elongation of spring.

$\Rightarrow\Big(\frac{1}{2}\Big)\text{m}_2\text{v}_0^2-\Big(\frac{1}{2}\Big)(\text{m}_1+\text{m}_2)\Big(\frac{\text{m}_2\text{v}_0}{\text{m}_1+\text{m}_2}\Big)^2=\Big(\frac{1}{2}\Big)\text{kx}^2$
$\Rightarrow\text{m}_2\text{v}_0^2\Big(1-\frac{\text{m}_2}{\text{m}_1+\text{m}_2}\Big)=\text{kx}^2$
$\Rightarrow\text{x}=\Big(\frac{\text{m}_1\text{m}_2}{\text{m}_1+\text{m}_2}\Big)^{\frac{1}{2}}\times\text{v}_0$






From L.C.K. m:$\text{mv}+\text{M}\times\text{O}=(\text{m}+\text{M})\text{v}$