A spring is compressed between two blocks,block A of mass m,and block B of mass 3m.The 1250 N/m spring is released,sending the blocks in opposite directions.What is the ratio of kinetic energies of block A to block B,K_A/K_B? A)1/3 B)3 C)1 D)1/9 E)More information is needed.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The kinetic energy ratio is determined by the inverse of the mass ratio due to conservation of momentum. Since block A has mass m and block B has mass 3m, the ratio of kinetic energies is 3:1.

A Spring Is Compressed Between Two Blocks,block a of Mass