Hi @SammyS
I am familiar with the machine, however am not accustomed to seeing questions asking for the height of the lighter weight. Most of the questions ask about the acceleration or the forces acting on the weights, which is a simple calculation, but I don't really know how to approach this...
Magnitude of acceleration of system:
a = (4.59kg - 1.71kg)(9.81N/kg)/(4.59kg + 1.71kg)
= 4.48 m/s^2
Velocity of lighter mass when heavier one hits the ground:
vf^2 = vi^2 + 2ad
= 0 + 2(4.48m/s^2)(2.60m)
vf = 4.83 m/s [up]
I am not sure what to do from here? I don't really understand what...