Lift the second Block!

The system of blocks must be released from h > n m g k h> \frac{nmg}{k} with the spring unstretched so that after perfectly inelastic collision ( e e = 0) with ground, B B may be lifted off the ground. Find the least possible value of n n . ( k k is spring constant).


The answer is 4.

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4 solutions

Since there is e=0, B does not contribute to lifting it up. Only spring energy has to lift it up. After the spring is compressed, A moves up with velocity till its up motion is stopped. So question of lifting A up does not arise, if before that B is lifted up as in our case. So if spring is extended by x with reference to up moving A, so that the spring forces B up, with the force of B's weight, B is just lifted. That implies 2mg=xk. That is x = 2 m g k \color{#3D99F6}{x=\dfrac {2mg}{k}} . That means, A is( h - x) high at that point. Implies spring must have stored P.E. energy lost by A. But P.E. lost = mass*(gravity acc.) *( height lost ) =Energy gained by the spring due to A. Note:-During this proses, one end of the spring is as if fixed to the ground.
1 m g ( h x ) = 1 2 k x 2 . m g ( h 2 m g k ) = 1 2 k ( 2 m g k ) 2 . S o l v i n g h = 4 m g k = n m g k , n = 4 1*m*g*(h-x)=\dfrac 1 2 *k*x^2 .\\ \implies mg(h-\dfrac {2mg}{k})=\dfrac 1 2 *k*(\dfrac {2mg}{k} )^2. \\Solving~~h=\dfrac{4mg}{k}= \dfrac{nmg}{k}, \implies~n=~~~~~\Large \color{#D61F06}{4}

Why is it m g (h-x) and not m g (x+h)? When the mass 2m reaches the surface, 2m and m have both moved h distance from their initial position. After that , 2m will stop but m will continue moving downwards due to the kinetic energy and would compress the spring by an additional distance x. So shouldn't it be h+x?

Kshitiz Agrawal - 5 years, 7 months ago
Nathanael Case
May 20, 2015

x i = |x_i|= maximum compression of spring ... x i < 0 x_i<0

x f = |x_f|= maximum elongation of spring ... x f > 0 x_f>0

In order for mass B to leave the ground ... k x f = 2 m g kx_f=2mg ...This is the first constraint.

Relationship between x f x_f and x i x_i from conservation of energy (all of the energy of block B is lost in the inelastic collision) ... 0.5 k x i 2 = 0.5 k x f 2 + m g ( x f x i ) 0.5kx_i^2=0.5kx_f^2+mg(x_f-x_i) ... This is the second constraint.

Relationship between x i x_i and h h from conservation of energy ... 0.5 k x i 2 = m g ( h x i ) 0.5kx_i^2=mg(h-x_i) ... This is the third and final constraint.

These three constraints solve the problem. To finish, combine the first two constraints to eliminate x f x_f and you will get 0.5 k x i 2 = 4 ( m g ) 2 k m g x i 0.5kx_i^2=\frac{4(mg)^2}{k}-mgx_i and then set this equal to the third constraint and you will get h = 4 m g k h=\frac{4mg}{k} which is the minimum value of h.

u shouldn't have solved the quadratic, u should have equated ur equation 1 and the equation below, using this 0.5 k x i 2 a n d m g x i 0.5kx_{i}^{2}~and~mgx_{i} would cancel out

Tanishq Varshney - 6 years ago

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Ah good catch, I did the algebra the hard way. I edited the answer, thanks Tanishq.

Nathanael Case - 6 years ago
Kishore S. Shenoy
Aug 19, 2015

k x = m g kx = mg

x = 2 m g k \Rightarrow x = \frac{2mg}{k}

Initial energy of A (only) E 0 = m g h E_0 = mgh

Energy at final position (spring stretched a distance x x E f m i n i m u m = k x 2 2 + m g x = 2 2 m 2 g 2 k E_{f-minimum} = \frac{kx^2}{2} + mgx = 2\cdot\frac{2m^2g^2}{k}

m g h = 4 m 2 g 2 k mgh = \frac{4m^2g^2}{k}

h = 4 m g k \Rightarrow\boxed{~ \boxed{h = 4\cdot \frac{mg}{k}}~}

Kyle Finch
May 20, 2015

@Nishant Rai do u have any shorter method

Check mine!

Kishore S. Shenoy - 5 years, 9 months ago

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