A. Situation A: A 20-kg block is pressed against a relaxed spring on a frictionless surface. The spring is compressed by ∆x = 10 cm from its equilibrium position x = x 0 e . The block is released and the spring uncompresses. The speed of the block at x = x 0 e is va,f = 5.0 m/s.
B. Situation B: The same 20-kg block is pressed against two relaxed springs that are attached in series on a frictionless surface. (These two springs are both identical to the spring in Situation A). The entire spring assembly is compressed by ∆x = 10 cm from its equilibrium position x = x 0 e . The block is released and the spring assembly uncompresses. The speed of the block at x = x 0 e is vb,f Question:
What is the value of vb,f ?
(A) 3.5 m/s
(B) 2.5 m/s/s
(C) 5.0 m/s
(D) 6.4 m/s
(E) 7.0 m/s.