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Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
Exam
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Simple Harmonic Motion

Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Simple Harmonic Motion

A block of mass m_1 is fastened to a spring on an incline of angle...

A block of mass m1m_1 is fastened to a spring on an incline of angle θ\theta, and a block of mass m2m_2 is placed against it. From the equilibrium position, the blocks are pushed a further distance of (2/k)(m1+m2)gsin⁡θ(2/k)(m_1 + m_2) g \sin\theta against the spring and then released. Identify the position where the two blocks separate.

Options

  1. AAt a distance of (m1+m2)gsin⁡θk\dfrac{(m_1 + m_2) g \sin\theta}{k} above the natural length
  2. BAt the equilibrium position
  3. CAt the point of maximum compression
  4. DWhen the spring acquires its natural length

Correct answer

D. When the spring acquires its natural length

Step-by-step solution

Let xx be the compression of the spring at any instant.

The equation of motion for the combined system of mass (m1+m2)(m_1 + m_2) is:

kx−(m1+m2)gsin⁡θ=(m1+m2)akx - (m_1 + m_2)g \sin\theta = (m_1 + m_2)a

where aa is the acceleration of the blocks up the incline.

The acceleration is:

a=kxm1+m2−gsin⁡θa = \dfrac{kx}{m_1 + m_2} - g \sin\theta

For block m2m_2, the forces acting along the incline are the normal force NN exerted by m1m_1 and the component of gravity m2gsin⁡θm_2 g \sin\theta.

The equation of motion for m2m_2 is:

N−m2gsin⁡θ=m2aN - m_2 g \sin\theta = m_2 a

Substituting the value of aa:

N=m2(a+gsin⁡θ)=m2(kxm1+m2−gsin⁡θ+gsin⁡θ)=m2kxm1+m2N = m_2 (a + g \sin\theta) = m_2 \left( \dfrac{kx}{m_1 + m_2} - g \sin\theta + g \sin\theta \right) = \dfrac{m_2 kx}{m_1 + m_2}

The blocks separate when the normal force NN becomes zero.

N=0⇒m2kxm1+m2=0⇒x=0N = 0 \Rightarrow \dfrac{m_2 kx}{m_1 + m_2} = 0 \Rightarrow x = 0

This means the blocks separate when the spring acquires its natural length.
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