Edexcel M2 2019 January — Question 7

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2019
SessionJanuary
TopicMomentum and Collisions 1

7. A particle \(P\) of mass \(3 m\) is moving in a straight line with speed \(u\) on a smooth horizontal table. A second particle \(Q\) of mass \(2 m\) is moving with speed \(2 u\) in the opposite direction to \(P\) along the same straight line. Particle \(P\) collides directly with \(Q\). The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\) is \(e\).
  1. Show that the direction of motion of \(P\) is reversed as a result of the collision with \(Q\).
  2. Find the range of values of \(e\) for which the direction of motion of \(Q\) is also reversed as a result of the collision. Given that \(e = \frac { 1 } { 2 }\)
  3. find, in terms of \(m\) and \(u\), the kinetic energy lost in the collision between \(P\) and \(Q\).