At a given instant, two blocks connected by a spring (which has negligible mass)

Question

At a given instant, two blocks connected by a spring (which has negligible mass) are sliding down a long ramp. At the moment we inspect the system, the spring is compressed and exerting forces on both blocks, but block 1, the block in front, is slowing down while block 2 behind it is speeding up.

How do the forces exerted by the spring on blocks 1 and 2 compare?

1. We need the maximum force the com- pressed spring can exert.

2. The spring exerts a force on block 2 but not on block 1.

3. We need the ratio of the masses of the two blocks.

4. The magnitude of the force exerted by the spring on both blocks is identical.

5. The spring pulls back on block 1 harder than it pulls block 2 forward.

6. The spring pushes block 1 forward and also pulls block 2 forward.

7. The spring exerts a force on block 1 but not on block 2.

Explanation / Answer

4. The magnitude of the force exerted by the spring on both blocks is identical.

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