PhysicsLAB: 2006 Form B

A small block of mass M is released from rest at the top of the curved frictionless ramp shown above. The block slides down the ramp and is moving with a speed 3.5v_o when it collides with a larger block of mass 1.5M at rest at the bottom of the incline. The larger block moves to the right at a speed 2v_o immediately after the collision. Express your answers to the following questions in terms of the given quantities and fundamental constants.

	(a) Determine the height h of the ramp from which the small block was released.

	(b) Determine the speed of the small block after the collision.

	(c) The larger block slides a distance D before coming to rest. Determine the value of the coefficient of kinetic friction µ between the larger block and the surface on which it slides.

	(d) Indicate whether the collision between the two blocks is elastic or inelastic. Justify your answer.