AQA M3 2013 June — Question 4

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2013
SessionJune
TopicMomentum and Collisions 2

4 A smooth sphere \(A\), of mass \(m\), is moving with speed \(4 u\) in a straight line on a smooth horizontal table. A smooth sphere \(B\), of mass \(3 m\), has the same radius as \(A\) and is moving on the table with speed \(2 u\) in the same direction as \(A\).
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{3a1726d9-1b0c-41de-8b43-56019e18aac1-10_289_780_493_625} The sphere \(A\) collides directly with sphere \(B\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(e\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(u\) and \(e\), the speeds of \(A\) and \(B\) immediately after the collision.
  2. Show that the speed of \(B\) after the collision cannot be greater than \(3 u\).
  3. Given that \(e = \frac { 2 } { 3 }\), find, in terms of \(m\) and \(u\), the magnitude of the impulse exerted on \(B\) in the collision.