| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | M1 (Mechanics 1) |
| Year | 2001 |
| Session | June |
| Marks | 6 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Momentum and Collisions |
| Type | Direct collision, find impulse magnitude |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.8 This is a straightforward M1 collision problem requiring direct application of conservation of momentum and the impulse-momentum theorem. All information is given clearly, the calculations are routine (one equation to solve for part a, then multiply by mass for part b), and no problem-solving insight is needed beyond recalling standard formulas. |
| Spec | 6.03b Conservation of momentum: 1D two particles6.03f Impulse-momentum: relation |
\begin{enumerate}
\item Two small balls $A$ and $B$ have masses 0.5 kg and 0.2 kg respectively. They are moving towards each other in opposite directions on a smooth horizontal table when they collide directly. Immediately before the collision, the speed of $A$ is $3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$ and the speed of $B$ is $2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$. The speed of $A$ immediately after the collision is $1.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$. The direction of the motion of $A$ is unchanged as a result of the collision.
\end{enumerate}
By modelling the balls as particles, find\\
(a) the speed of $B$ immediately after the collision,\\
(b) the magnitude of the impulse exerted on $B$ in the collision.\\
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M1 2001 Q1 [6]}}