On a frictionless surface, a block of mass m1 and velocity v1 = vi is moving to the right when it collides with a spring, of spring constant k, attached to the left side of a stationary block of mass m2. Both blocks are free to slide on the surface.
1. Argue either from physical principles or with equations that the velocities of the two blocks are the same when the spring is at its maximum compression.
2. What is the maximum compression of the spring, xmax?
3. In terms of m1, m2, and v, what are the final velocities of the two blocks after they finish interacting?