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Frictionless environment. One block moving from left to right hits another block and their combined weight equals .5 kg. When the blocks collide they become attached by an adhesive. The second block is attached to a horizontal spring attached to a stationary wall. k of spring is 50 Newtons per meter. At the time of collision, their combined mass has a velocity of 0.2 meters per second. The combined mass of blocks compresses a horizontal spring, that begins to oscillate from the applied force of the blocks.
The question is to find the state of the spring when the maximum acceleration is directed towards the right.
I understand that the maximum acceleration always occurs when displacement of the spring is maximum. The answer to the question states that we know that the acceleration is directed towards the right when the spring is extended. But I have no idea how we would know that to be necessarily true. At the instant that the spring is fully extended, isn't the block stationary just for a for an instant? How do we know which way the net force is being directed?
Help please.
The question is to find the state of the spring when the maximum acceleration is directed towards the right.
I understand that the maximum acceleration always occurs when displacement of the spring is maximum. The answer to the question states that we know that the acceleration is directed towards the right when the spring is extended. But I have no idea how we would know that to be necessarily true. At the instant that the spring is fully extended, isn't the block stationary just for a for an instant? How do we know which way the net force is being directed?
Help please.