AQA M3 2009 June — Question 5 12 marks

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2009
SessionJune
Marks12
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicOblique and successive collisions
TypeOblique collision, find velocities/angles
DifficultyChallenging +1.2 This is an oblique collision problem requiring resolution of velocities, conservation of momentum in two perpendicular directions, and Newton's law of restitution. While it involves multiple steps and careful component resolution, it follows a standard M3 template with clear guidance (showing specific values). The techniques are well-practiced at this level, making it moderately above average difficulty but not requiring novel insight.
Spec6.03c Momentum in 2D: vector form6.03d Conservation in 2D: vector momentum6.03j Perfectly elastic/inelastic: collisions6.03k Newton's experimental law: direct impact

5 Two smooth spheres, \(A\) and \(B\), of equal radii and different masses are moving on a smooth horizontal surface when they collide. Just before the collision, \(A\) is moving with speed \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the line of centres of the spheres, and \(B\) is moving with speed \(3 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) perpendicular to the line of centres, as shown in the diagram below. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{719b82f7-2ab5-48db-9b2a-98284096a78a-4_314_1100_593_392} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Before collision}
\end{figure} Immediately after the collision, \(A\) and \(B\) move with speeds \(u\) and \(v\) in directions which make angles of \(90 ^ { \circ }\) and \(40 ^ { \circ }\) respectively with the line of centres, as shown in the diagram below. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{719b82f7-2ab5-48db-9b2a-98284096a78a-4_392_1102_1155_392}
  1. Show that \(v = 4.67 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), correct to three significant figures.
  2. Find the coefficient of restitution between the spheres.
  3. Given that the mass of \(A\) is 0.5 kg , show that the magnitude of the impulse exerted on \(A\) during the collision is 2.17 Ns , correct to three significant figures.
  4. Find the mass of \(B\).

Question 5:
Part (a):
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMarks Guidance
Momentum of \(B\) perpendicular to the line of centres is unchanged
\(m_B v \sin 40° = 3m_B\)M1A1
\(v = 4.667 \text{ ms}^{-1} = 4.67 \text{ ms}^{-1}\) (3sf)A1 AG
Part (b):
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMarks Guidance
\(e = \dfrac{4.67\cos 40°}{5\cos 30°}\)M1A1
\(e = 0.826\)A1F
Part (c):
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMarks Guidance
Impulse on \(A\) = change in momentum of \(A\) along the line of centres
\(= 0.5 \times 5\cos 30° = 2.165\)M1A1
\(= 2.17\) NsA1 AG
Part (d):
AnswerMarks Guidance
WorkingMarks Guidance
\(2.165 = m_B(4.667)\cos 40°\)M1A1
\(m_B = 0.6056 = 0.606\) kg (3sf)A1F Condone use of premature rounding giving 0.605kg or 0.607 kg
## Question 5:

### Part (a):
| Working | Marks | Guidance |
|---------|-------|----------|
| Momentum of $B$ perpendicular to the line of centres is unchanged | | |
| $m_B v \sin 40° = 3m_B$ | M1A1 | |
| $v = 4.667 \text{ ms}^{-1} = 4.67 \text{ ms}^{-1}$ (3sf) | A1 | AG |

### Part (b):
| Working | Marks | Guidance |
|---------|-------|----------|
| $e = \dfrac{4.67\cos 40°}{5\cos 30°}$ | M1A1 | |
| $e = 0.826$ | A1F | |

### Part (c):
| Working | Marks | Guidance |
|---------|-------|----------|
| Impulse on $A$ = change in momentum of $A$ along the line of centres | | |
| $= 0.5 \times 5\cos 30° = 2.165$ | M1A1 | |
| $= 2.17$ Ns | A1 | AG |

### Part (d):
| Working | Marks | Guidance |
|---------|-------|----------|
| $2.165 = m_B(4.667)\cos 40°$ | M1A1 | |
| $m_B = 0.6056 = 0.606$ kg (3sf) | A1F | Condone use of premature rounding giving 0.605kg or 0.607 kg |

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5 Two smooth spheres, $A$ and $B$, of equal radii and different masses are moving on a smooth horizontal surface when they collide.

Just before the collision, $A$ is moving with speed $5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$ at an angle of $30 ^ { \circ }$ to the line of centres of the spheres, and $B$ is moving with speed $3 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }$ perpendicular to the line of centres, as shown in the diagram below.

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
  \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{719b82f7-2ab5-48db-9b2a-98284096a78a-4_314_1100_593_392}
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}
\caption{Before collision}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

Immediately after the collision, $A$ and $B$ move with speeds $u$ and $v$ in directions which make angles of $90 ^ { \circ }$ and $40 ^ { \circ }$ respectively with the line of centres, as shown in the diagram below.\\
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{719b82f7-2ab5-48db-9b2a-98284096a78a-4_392_1102_1155_392}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Show that $v = 4.67 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }$, correct to three significant figures.
\item Find the coefficient of restitution between the spheres.
\item Given that the mass of $A$ is 0.5 kg , show that the magnitude of the impulse exerted on $A$ during the collision is 2.17 Ns , correct to three significant figures.
\item Find the mass of $B$.
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA M3 2009 Q5 [12]}}