Edexcel M2 2005 June — Question 5

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2005
SessionJune
TopicMomentum and Collisions 1

5. Two small spheres \(A\) and \(B\) have mass \(3 m\) and \(2 m\) respectively. They are moving towards each other in opposite directions on a smooth horizontal plane, both with speed \(2 u\), when they collide directly. As a result of the collision, the direction of motion of \(B\) is reversed and its speed is unchanged.
  1. Find the coefficient of restitution between the spheres. Subsequently, \(B\) collides directly with another small sphere \(C\) of mass \(5 m\) which is at rest. The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and \(C\) is \(\frac { 3 } { 5 }\).
  2. Show that, after \(B\) collides with \(C\), there will be no further collisions between the spheres.