Two masses (m1 = 8.00 kg and m2 = 10.0 kg) are connected by a massless string which runs across a massless, frictionless pulley. The heavier mass is also connected to a spring, which is attached to the ground and has a spring constant of k = 500 N/m. Both masses are initially placed at the same height. When the masses are released, m2 begins to fall and compresses the spring.
(a) How far do the masses fall before coming to a stop?
(b) What is the instantaneous power delivered to the system by the spring when m2 has fallen half of the distance it will fall before coming to a stop?