A block of mass M1 = 5 kg is attached to a spring with a spring constant k = 20 N/m and rests on a frictionless horizontal surface. A wad of clay with mass M2 = 2 kg traveling at a speed of v = 14 m/s hits and sticks to the block.
Find the frequency and amplitude of the subsequent simple harmonic oscillations.
Write the equation of motion for the system.
Draw a graph for the displacement as a function of time for this mass-spring system. Label the axes and scale the drawing accurately to show the period and amplitude.
How much time does it take for the spring to compress x = 1.5 meters from equilibrium for the first time?