A 250-kN railroad car A is traveling at 40 m/s while a 550-kN freight car B is traveling at 10 m/s (both cars heading to the right). If the spring constant mounted on car A is k = 70 MN/m, determine the maximum deformation undergone by the spring. Neglect friction.

the maximum deformation undergone by the spring = 47.46 cm

Explanation:

Using conservation of  momentum:

where:

Then;

v = 19.375 m/s

However ; using conservation of energy to determine the maximum deformation undergone by the spring ; we have:

x = 0.4746 m

x = 47.46 cm

Thus,  the maximum deformation undergone by the spring = 47.46 cm

The maximum deformation undergone by the spring is 0.475 m

Explanation:

The conservation of momentum is equal:

Replacing:

The conservation of energy is: