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1. Block A (mass= 1.2 kg) is sliding to the right on a horizontal, frictionless

ID: 1781608 • Letter: 1

Question

1. Block A (mass= 1.2 kg) is sliding to the right on a horizontal, frictionless tabletop with a speed of vA just before it collides with Block B. Block B (mass= 4.0 kg) is initially at rest. Block A collides with Block B and they stick together, traveling off at a speed of 2.0 m/s to the right just after the collision.

a) How fast is Block A traveling just before it hits Block B?

b) What is the total kinetic energy of the two blocks after the collision?

c) Next, the two blocks hit a portion of the table where there is friction. They come to rest over a distance d= 1.20 m. What is the total work done by the frictional force acting on the two blocks?

Explanation / Answer

mass of block A mA = 1.2 kg

mass of block B mB = 4 kg


before cllision

speed of block A = vA


speed of block B = vB = 0

after collision the two blocks stick together


speed of combined blocks = v = 2 m/s

from conservation of linear momentum

Lf = Li

mA*vA + mB*vB = (mA+mB)*v

(1.2*vA) + (4*0) = (1.2+4)*2


vA = 8.67 m/s <<<<----------ANSWER


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b)

total kinetic energy Ktot = (1/2)*(mA+mB)*v^2


Ktot = (1/2)*(1.2+4)*2^2 = 10.4 J


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c)


work done = change in KE

Wf = Kf - Ki = 0 - (1/2)*(mA+mB)*v^2


W = -10.4 J