AQA M3 2009 June — Question 5

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2009
SessionJune
TopicMomentum and Collisions 2

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 \(B\).