Name (please print):

last, first

1. [15 pts total] A block on a frictionless table is connected to an Block mo ves with
decreasing speed
ideal spring. A hand pushes the block until it reaches point Q, v
compressing the spring. The block moves from point P to point
Q with decreasing speed. For the questions below, consider the
system of the block and the spring.
frictionless
A. [5 pts] For an instant when the block is between point P and surface P Q
point Q, list all forces acting on the block-spring system. For
each force, indicate the object exerting that force and the type of force (using the tutorial-style
subscript notation).

B. [5 pts] For each force you listed in part A, state whether the work done by that force is positive,
negative, or zero as the block moves from P to Q. Explain.

C. [5 pts] As the block moves from point P to point Q, does the total energy of the block-spring system
increase, decrease, or remain constant? Explain.

Physics 1430-252 Exam 3 April 19, 2012

Total Points: /15
 Name (please print):
last, first

2. [22 pts total] In each of three experiments, puck A

(of mass m) is launched on a frictionless surface
with speed v0 toward stationary pucks X, Y, and
Z.
Pucks X, Y, and Z all have the same mass M,
which is greater than the mass of puck A (M > m).
X, Y, and Z are made of different materials. The
collisions are not necessarily elastic.
In Exp. 1, puck A hits puck X and stops. In Exp.
2, puck A rebounds to the left with speed 13 v0 . In
Exp. 3, puck A continues to the right with speed
1
6 v0
.

[4 pts] In Exp. 2, is the magnitude of the change

in momentum of puck A ( ∆𝑝! ) greater than, less than, or equal to the magnitude of the change in
momentum of puck Y ( ∆𝑝! )? Explain.

[4 pts] In Exp. 2, is the magnitude of the final momentum of puck Y (𝑝!" ) greater than, less than, or
equal to the magnitude of the initial momentum of puck A (𝑝!" )? Explain.

[6 pts] Rank the final speeds of pucks X, Y, and Z from greatest to smallest. Explain.

[8 pts] For each of the outcomes described below, state whether the outcome is permitted or forbidden by
the principle of momentum conservation. Explain in each case.

• The final speed of puck Y is v0 (the initial speed of puck A).

• The final speed of puck Z is v0.

Physics 1430-252 Exam 3 April 19, 2012

Total Points: /22
Name (please print):
last, first

Quantitative questions [12 points total]

For each of the questions below, show your work (including units for all physical quantities) and make
sure it is easy for the reader to find your answer.

1. [3 pts] A pendulum is made of a 1.5 kg stone swinging on a 3.0 m string of negligible mass. The stone has a
speed of 4.0 m/s when it passes its lowest point. What is the maximum height reached by the stone (measured
vertically from the lowest point)?

2. [3 pts] If a spring has a spring constant of 85 N/m, how far must it be compressed from its
equilibrium length in order to store 100 J of elastic potential energy?

3. [6 pts] A 2.0 kg ball drops vertically onto a floor, hitting with a speed of 20 m/s. It rebounds with an initial
speed of 4.0 m/s.
a. What impulse acts on the ball during the time it is in contact with the floor?

b. How much energy is transformed into thermal energy during the contact?

Physics 1430-252 Exam 3 April 19, 2012

Total Points: /12