Elastic Collision on a Frictionless Track

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving an elastic collision on a frictionless track. A block of mass M1 (5 kg) collides with a stationary block of mass m2 (10 kg), and the goal is to determine the maximum height M1 reaches post-collision. Participants emphasize the importance of applying conservation of momentum and energy principles to solve the problem accurately. One user initially calculated a height of 5 meters but expressed uncertainty about its correctness, prompting others to suggest reviewing the calculations and using Newton's experimental law for a clearer solution. The conversation highlights the need for precise application of physics concepts to arrive at the correct answer.
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Homework Statement


Consider a frictionless track as shown (I will attach an image in a follow up post). A block of mass M1= 5.00 kg is released from point A. It makes a head-on elastic collision at B with a block of mass m2 = 10 kg that is initially at rest. Calculate the maximum height to which m1 rises after the collision.

Homework Equations


p1+p2 = p1' + p2'
.5mv2+.5mv2=.5mv2'+.5mv2+

The Attempt at a Solution


Okay, so I tried mixing the Kinetic energy with some momentum equations and also potential energy because KE=-U, but I feel like I probably totally screwed up, and when I tried to use kinematics it didn't work out very well.
The answer I got was 5 meters, but I do not know what the correct answer is. (I will post an image with my work as well, because personally I find it hard to read typed math and prefer pictures, and someone else might too) Thank you so much to anyone who can help!
 
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ImageUploadedByPhysics Forums1453425941.973192.jpg

The top is the image that goes with the problem. Below is my work.
ImageUploadedByPhysics Forums1453425995.806060.jpg
 
Clearly 5m must be too much.
Looks like you found the collision velocity to be 10m/s, which is right if you are taking g as 10m/s2.
Couldn't follow your working after that. You need to use conservation of momentum and of energy to find the new velocity of the first mass.
Or, if you have been taught it, you can use "Newton's experimental law" with R=1. This can be derived from those two conservation equations.
 
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