Two blocks are free to slide along the frictionless wooden track shown below. Th

Question

Two blocks are free to slide along the frictionless wooden track shown below. The block of mass m1 = 5.01 kg is released from the position shown, at height h = 5.00 m above the flat part of the track. Protruding from its front end is the north pole of a strong magnet, which repels the north pole of an identical magnet embedded in the back end of the block of mass m2 = 9.10 kg, initially at rest. The two blocks never touch. Calculate the maximum height to which m1 rises after the elastic collision. m 9-p-027.gif

Explanation / Answer

As M1 moves downward 5.00 meters, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. Since the collision is elastic, all this kinetic energy is split between the two blocks, as they exert the force of repulsion on each other.

Initial PE = 5.01 * 9.8 * 5
KE of M1 before the interaction = Initial PE = 5.01 * 9.8 * 5 = 245.49
KE =

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