AQA M3 2010 June — Question 3

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2010
SessionJune
TopicMomentum and Collisions 2

3 Three smooth spheres, \(A , B\) and \(C\), of equal radii have masses \(1 \mathrm {~kg} , 3 \mathrm {~kg}\) and \(x \mathrm {~kg}\) respectively. The spheres lie at rest in a straight line on a smooth horizontal surface with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). The sphere \(A\) is projected with speed \(3 u\) directly towards \(B\) and collides with it.
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{01071eb0-2c48-4028-8cd3-6021ce86d7e5-08_250_835_511_605} The coefficient of restitution between each pair of spheres is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 }\).
  1. Show that \(A\) is brought to rest by the impact and find the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision in terms of \(u\).
  2. Subsequently, \(B\) collides with \(C\). Show that the speed of \(C\) immediately after the collision is \(\frac { 4 u } { 3 + x }\).
    Find the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision in terms of \(u\) and \(x\).
  3. Show that \(B\) will collide with \(A\) again if \(x > 9\).
  4. Given that \(x = 5\), find the magnitude of the impulse exerted on \(C\) by \(B\) in terms of \(u\).
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{01071eb0-2c48-4028-8cd3-6021ce86d7e5-09_2484_1709_223_153}
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{01071eb0-2c48-4028-8cd3-6021ce86d7e5-10_2484_1712_223_153}
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{01071eb0-2c48-4028-8cd3-6021ce86d7e5-11_2484_1709_223_153}