Tag Archives: Springs

A2L Item 026

Goal: Reasoning with 2nd law.

Source: UMPERG

Consider the three situations shown below. In each case two small carts
are connected by a spring. A constant force F is applied to the
leftmost cart in each case. In each situation the springs are
compressed so that the distance between the two carts never changes.

Which of the following statements must be true regarding the compression
of the spring in each case? Assume the springs are identical.

  1. Compression A = Compression B = Compression C
  2. B = C < A
  3. A < B = C
  4. A < B < C
  5. B < A < C
  6. C < A < B
  7. A < C < B
  8. None of the above
  9. Cannot be determined

Commentary:

Answer

(5) The total mass is the same so the acceleration of the systems must
be the same. In each case the spring exerts the only horizontal force
on the cart to the right. The spring force must be largest for the 3M
cart and smallest for the M cart: B < A < C.

Background

This item requires students to reason. It is difficult to resort to
equation manipulation to answer this question. One difficulty with the
problem is that it involves a complex system (two carts connected by a
spring).

Questions to Reveal Student Reasoning

Is it really possible to compress the carts so that they stay a fixed
distance apart? What forces act on each cart? Will the carts
accelerate or move with a constant velocity? Compare the carts
acceleration.

Suggestions

Draw a free-body diagram for each cart.

Define a new problem in terms of the carts on the right: Each cart is
given an applied force so that each has the same acceleration. How do
the applied forces compare?

A2L Item 027

Goal: Contrast internal, external forces and net force.

Source: UMPERG

A toy
is made from two blocks and a spring as shown at right. When the spring
is compressed and suddenly released, the toy will jump off the table
surface. Which of the following is true about the net force on the toy
just after it is released?

  1. The net force is zero.
  2. The net force points up.
  3. The net force points down.
  4. The direction of the net force cannot be determined.

Commentary:

Answer

(2); This question seems difficult but it is available
to beginning students. Students can analyze the problem considering the
entire toy as a single system or decompose into the separate masses.
Viewed as a single system, since the center of mass accelerates up, the
net force must point up. Free body diagrams for each mass individually
would show no net force on the bottom mass (because the normal force
assumes a value necessary to balance gravity and spring force) and a
large net force on the upper mass (spring force exceeds gravity). If
sketched to scale, the two can be added showing that the net force
derives from the normal force on the lower block.

Background

This question is intended to have students distinguish between internal
and external forces. The question also can be approached in a variety
of ways.

Questions to Reveal Student Reasoning

Can the toy ever leave the surface? Would there be a net force if it
did leave the surface?