A light spring with force constant 3.05 N/m is compressed by 7.80 cm as it is held between a 0.400-kg block on the left and a 0.800-kg block on the right, both resting on a horizontal surface. The spring exerts a force on each block, tending to push the blocks apart. The blocks are simultaneously released from rest. Find the acceleration with which each block starts to move, given that the coefficient of kinetic friction between each block and the surface is 0, 0.035, and 0.397. (Let the coordinate system be positive to the right and negative to the left. Indicate the direction with the sign of your answer. Assume that the coefficient of static friction is the same as the coefficient of kinetic friction. If the block does not move, enter 0.)

Complete Question

A light spring with force constant 3.05 N/m is compressed by 7.80 cm as it is held between a 0.400-kg block on the left and a 0.800-kg block on the right, both resting on a horizontal surface. The spring exerts a force on each block, tending to push the blocks apart. The blocks are simultaneously released from rest. Find the acceleration with which each block starts to move, given that the coefficient of kinetic friction between each block and the surface is 0, 0.035, and 0.397. (Let the coordinate system be positive to the right and negative to the left. Indicate the direction with the sign of your answer. Assume that the coefficient of static friction is the same as the coefficient of kinetic friction. If the block does not move, enter 0.)

(a) u = 0 heavier block m/s2 m/s2 lighter block

(b)M = 0.035 heavier block m/s2 m/s2 lighter block

a)  

b)  

Explanation:

From the question we are told that:

Force constant

Compression Length

Left Mass

Right Mass

Coefficient of kinetic friction

Therefore

Spring force is given as

Generally the equation for Acceleration is mathematically given by

For Heavier block

For Lighter blocks

b)

Generally the equation for Force is mathematically given by

For Heavier block

Therefore

For Lighter blocks

some think that theories become laws, but theories and laws have separate and distinct roles in the scientific method. a law is a description of an observed phenomenon in the natural world that hold true every time it is tested. it doesn't explain why something is true; it just states that it is true.

hi there!

out of the two, (b) precision would be more reasonable.   however, both a and b could be pretty reasonable.

-awesomerepublic   : )