PH 125 Midterm: ph125_f17_exam2_SOLN
Document Summary
Exam ii solution: a stationary mass m sits on level ground at the base of an inclined plane, and is struck by a mass m moving with velocity vi. The two objects stick together, and begin to move up the (frictionless) incline. Solution: the collision between the two masses is clearly totally inelastic, and we will have to use conservation of momentum to handle it. From the time after the collision until the combined mass reaches the top of the ramp, we can use conservation of energy. First, conservation of momentum: mvi = (m + m)vf vf = m m + m vi (1) (2) The combined mass thus starts out with a kinetic energy 1 this kinetic energy has been converted to gravitational potential energy. 2 (m + m )v2 f , and will rise along the ramp until all of. K = 0 (m + m )v2 f = . 2 mv2 i (m + m )gh =
