Q. A block with mass M attached to a horizontal spring with force constant k is moving with simple harmonic motion having amplitude A1. At the instant when the block passes through its equilibrium position, a lump of putty with mass m is dropped vertically onto the block from a very small height and sticks to it.
What should be the value of the putty mass m so that the amplitude after the collision is one-half the original amplitude?
m = 1M
For this value of m, what fraction of the original mechanical energy is converted into heat?