Question

Two blocks are initially at rest with a compressed spring between them. When the spring is released, the 2m block moves to the left and the m block moves to the right. This represents an inelastic collision in a closed system.

A diagram of two square masses sitting on a flat horizontal surface connected by a spring. The mass on the left is labeled 2 m and the mass on the right is labeled m.
What best describes the blocks after the spring is released?

The total energy is zero.
The total momentum is zero.
The momentum of the m block is zero.
The momentum of the 2m block is zero.

Answer 1

The statement that best describes the blocks after the spring is released is the total momentum is zero.

Law of conservation of momentum

From the law of conservation of momentum, the initial momentum of the system, M equals the final momentum of the system M'

M = M'

Momentum of blocks

Now, since both blocks are initially at rest, the initial momentum M = 0.

Since the initial momentum equals the final momentum after the blocks are released,

M = M' = 0

So, the total momentum after the blocks are released is zero.

So, the statement that best describes the blocks after the spring is released is the total momentum is zero.

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