A block of mass m is on a frictionless track, initially at a height h above the ground. The block slides down the track and collides at the bottom with a larger block of mass 3m. The two blocks stick together and move off to the right. Finally they are brought momentarily to rest by a spring with spring constant k. Fnd the maximum amount by which the spring will be compressed in stopping the combined blocks. [Ans: d = mgh/(2k)]I h 3m M Problem 4 Problem 5 E

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**Problem 4 Description:**

A block of mass \( m \) is on a frictionless track, initially at a height \( h \) above the ground. It slides down the track and collides at the bottom with a larger block of mass \( 3m \). The two blocks stick together and move off to the right. They are momentarily brought to rest by a spring with a spring constant \( k \). The task is to find the maximum compression of the spring (denoted as \( d \)) when stopping the combined blocks.

**Equation Provided:**

\[ d^2 = \frac{mgh}{2k} \]

**Diagram Explanation:**

- The diagram shows a frictionless curved track starting from a height \( h \) on the left with a block of mass \( m \) at the top.
- At the bottom of the track, there is a larger block of mass \( 3m \).
- To the right of this setup, a spring with spring constant \( k \) is depicted, indicating where the blocks eventually come to rest after sticking together.

**Concepts Involved:**

- Gravitational potential energy conversion to kinetic energy.
- Inelastic collision (the blocks stick together).
- Energy conservation involving kinetic energy and elastic potential energy of the spring.
Transcribed Image Text:**Problem 4 Description:** A block of mass \( m \) is on a frictionless track, initially at a height \( h \) above the ground. It slides down the track and collides at the bottom with a larger block of mass \( 3m \). The two blocks stick together and move off to the right. They are momentarily brought to rest by a spring with a spring constant \( k \). The task is to find the maximum compression of the spring (denoted as \( d \)) when stopping the combined blocks. **Equation Provided:** \[ d^2 = \frac{mgh}{2k} \] **Diagram Explanation:** - The diagram shows a frictionless curved track starting from a height \( h \) on the left with a block of mass \( m \) at the top. - At the bottom of the track, there is a larger block of mass \( 3m \). - To the right of this setup, a spring with spring constant \( k \) is depicted, indicating where the blocks eventually come to rest after sticking together. **Concepts Involved:** - Gravitational potential energy conversion to kinetic energy. - Inelastic collision (the blocks stick together). - Energy conservation involving kinetic energy and elastic potential energy of the spring.
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