OCR MEI Further Mechanics A AS 2023 June — Question 4

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleFurther Mechanics A AS (Further Mechanics A AS)
Year2023
SessionJune
TopicMomentum and Collisions 1

4 The diagram shows three beads, A, B and C, of masses \(0.3 \mathrm {~kg} , 0.5 \mathrm {~kg}\) and 0.7 kg respectively, threaded onto a smooth wire circuit consisting of two straight and two semi-circular sections. The circuit occupies a vertical plane, with the two straight sections horizontal and the upper section 0.45 m directly above the lower section.
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a87d62b8-406d-44cd-9ffa-384005329566-5_361_961_450_248} Initially, the beads are at rest. A and B are each given an impulse so that they move towards each other, A with a speed of \(8 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and B with a speed of \(1.6 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). In the subsequent collision between A and \(\mathrm { B } , \mathrm { A }\) is brought to rest.
  1. Show that the coefficient of restitution between A and B is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 }\). Bead B next collides with C.
  2. Show that the speed of B before this collision is \(4.37 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), correct to 3 significant figures. In this collision between B and C , B is brought to rest.
  3. Determine whether C next collides with A or with B .
  4. Explain why, if B has a greater mass than C , B could not be brought to rest in their collision.