Edexcel M2 2003 January — Question 6

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2003
SessionJanuary
TopicMomentum and Collisions 1

6. A smooth sphere \(P\) of mass \(2 m\) is moving in a straight line with speed \(u\) on a smooth horizontal table. Another smooth sphere \(Q\) of mass \(m\) is at rest on the table. The sphere \(P\) collides directly with \(Q\). The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\) is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 }\). The spheres are modelled as particles.
  1. Show that, immediately after the collision, the speeds of \(P\) and \(Q\) are \(\frac { 5 } { 9 } u\) and \(\frac { 8 } { 9 } u\) respectively. After the collision, \(Q\) strikes a fixed vertical wall which is perpendicular to the direction of motion of \(P\) and \(Q\). The coefficient of restitution between \(Q\) and the wall is \(e\). When \(P\) and \(Q\) collide again, \(P\) is brought to rest.
  2. Find the value of \(e\).
  3. Explain why there must be a third collision between \(P\) and \(Q\).