An object of mass 2 kg resting on a frictionless horizontal surface is attached to a spring of force constant 600 N/m. A second object of mass 1 kg slides along the surface toward the first object at 6 m/s.

(a) Find the amplitude of oscillation if the objects make a perfectly inelastic collision and remain together on the spring. What is the period of oscillation?

(b) Find the amplitude and period of oscillation if the collision is elastic.

(c) For each type of collision, write an expression for the position x as a function of time t for the object attached to the spring, assuming that the collision occurs at time t = 0.