Question

Two toy cars (m1 = 0.200 kg and m2 = 0.250 kg) are held together rear to rear with a compressed spring between them. When they are released, the cars are free to roll away from the ends of the spring.

If you measure the acceleration of the 0.200-kg car to be 2.65 m/s2 to the right, what is the acceleration of the other car?

Answer 1

Acceleration of the second particle at that moment is given as

`a_2 = 2.12 m/s^2`

Step-by-step explanation:

As we know that both cars are connected by same spring

So on this system of two cars there is no external force

So we will have

`F = 0 = m_1a_1 + m_2a_2`

now we have

`m_1 = 0.200 kg`

`m_2 = 0.250 kg`

`a_1 = 2.65 m/s^2`

now we have

`0.200(2.65) + 0.250a_2 = 0`

so we have

`a_2 = 2.12 m/s^2`