Edexcel M1 2016 October — Question 1

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM1 (Mechanics 1)
Year2016
SessionOctober
TopicMomentum and Collisions

  1. Two particles, \(P\) and \(Q\), have masses \(2 m\) and \(3 m\) respectively. They are moving towards each other, in opposite directions, along the same straight line, on a smooth horizontal plane. The particles collide. Immediately before they collide the speed of \(P\) is \(2 u\) and the speed of \(Q\) is \(u\). In the collision the magnitude of the impulse exerted on \(P\) by \(Q\) is \(5 m u\).
    1. Find the speed of \(P\) immediately after the collision.
    2. State whether the direction of motion of \(P\) has been reversed by the collision.
    3. Find the speed of \(Q\) immediately after the collision.