| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | M1 (Mechanics 1) |
| Year | 2004 |
| Session | January |
| Marks | 7 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Momentum and Collisions |
| Type | Direct collision, find mass |
| Difficulty | Moderate -0.8 This is a straightforward application of conservation of momentum with clearly defined before/after states and a simple algebraic setup. Part (a) requires one equation with one unknown, and part (b) is direct impulse calculation using impulse = change in momentum. Both parts are standard M1 textbook exercises requiring only recall and basic algebraic manipulation, making this easier than average. |
| Spec | 6.03b Conservation of momentum: 1D two particles6.03e Impulse: by a force6.03f Impulse-momentum: relation |
Two trucks $A$ and $B$, moving in opposite directions on the same horizontal railway track, collide. The mass of $A$ is 600 kg. The mass of $B$ is $m$ kg. Immediately before the collision, the speed of $A$ is 4 m s$^{-1}$ and the speed of $B$ is 2 m s$^{-1}$. Immediately after the collision, the trucks are joined together and move with the same speed 0.5 m s$^{-1}$. The direction of motion of $A$ is unchanged by the collision. Find
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item the value of $m$, [4]
\item the magnitude of the impulse exerted on $A$ in the collision. [3]
\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M1 2004 Q1 [7]}}