AQA M3 2006 June — Question 2

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2006
SessionJune
TopicMomentum and Collisions 2

2 Three smooth spheres \(A , B\) and \(C\) of equal radii and masses \(m , m\) and \(2 m\) respectively lie at rest on a smooth horizontal table. The centres of the spheres lie in a straight line with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). The coefficient of restitution between any two spheres is \(e\). The sphere \(A\) is projected directly towards \(B\) with speed \(u\) and collides with \(B\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(u\) and \(e\), the speed of \(B\) immediately after the impact between \(A\) and \(B\).
  2. The sphere \(B\) subsequently collides with \(C\). The speed of \(C\) immediately after this collision is \(\frac { 3 } { 8 } u\). Find the value of \(e\).