Question: Two objects (m1 = 2.15 kg and m2 = 4.30 kg) sit on a horizontal, frictionless surface and are pushed together with a compressed spring between them. The spring has a spring constant of 154 N/m and the spring is compressed a distance of 2.5 m. The masses are then released.
a. How much energy was stored in the spring?
b. Assuming that all of the stored energy is transferred to the massses and that neither mass is attached to the spring after they are released, find the velocity of each mass.