Edexcel M1 2017 January — Question 5

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM1 (Mechanics 1)
Year2017
SessionJanuary
TopicMomentum and Collisions

  1. Two particles \(P\) and \(Q\) have masses \(4 m\) and \(k m\) respectively. They are moving towards each other in opposite directions along the same straight line on a smooth horizontal table when they collide directly. Immediately before the collision the speed of \(P\) is \(3 u\) and the speed of \(Q\) is \(u\). Immediately after the collision both particles have speed \(2 u\) and the direction of motion of \(Q\) has been reversed.
    1. Find, in terms of \(k , m\) and \(u\), the magnitude of the impulse received by \(Q\) in the collision.
    2. Find the two possible values of \(k\).