Block 1 of mass 0.50 kg is pushed against a fixed spring (as shown in the figure). The spring has a spring constant of 1.00Ă—10^4 N/m. After being released, the block slides across a frictionless horizontal surface and collides with another block (block 2, initially at rest) of mass 1.00 kg. To the right is an equally frictionless ramp. In answering parts A - C below, assume that the two blocks stick together after the collision.
For each of the steps listed in the following table, state if (i) the mechanical energy of the whole setup (including the spring, blocks, etc.) and (ii) the momentum of the system block 1 + block 2 is conserved.
B. If block 1 has a speed of 2.83 m/s after leaving the spring, but before hitting block 2, how far was the spring initially compressed from its resting length?
C. Consider the collision of block 1 with block 2 and the motion following it. How far up the ramp will the two blocks (now stuck together) travel? The ramp makes an angle of 20° with the horizontal.
D. Now assume that block 1 bounces off of block 2 instead of sticking. Will block 2 travel up the ramp farther than, less far than, or exactly as far as calculated in part (C)? Explain.