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Springs AB and CD have a stiffness of k1​ and k2​, respectively, and both springs have an unstretched length of 600 mm. If the 2-kg smooth collar starts from rest when the springs are unstretched, determine the speed of the collar when it has moved 200 mm.

User Ibnhamza
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Final answer:

The question involves using the conservation of energy and Hooke's law to calculate the speed of a collar moving on springs, given the stiffness constants of the springs and the distance moved from the unstretched position.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question concerns physics, specifically involving the concept of energy conservation and Hooke's law in the context of springs.

When a 2-kg collar starts from rest and moves 200 mm from its unstretched length, the potential energy stored in the springs is converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion of the collar.

The springs' stiffness constants (k1 and k2) would determine how much energy is stored when stretched.

To find the speed of the collar, one would use the formula for potential energy stored in a spring (PE = 1/2 kx^2) and equate it to the kinetic energy (KE = 1/2 mv^2) to solve for the collar’s velocity (v).

User Oush
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