Edexcel M2 2003 January — Question 6 15 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2003
SessionJanuary
Marks15
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicMomentum and Collisions 1
TypeCollision followed by wall impact
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a standard M2 collision problem requiring conservation of momentum and Newton's restitution law applied twice. Part (a) is routine bookwork with given answers to verify. Parts (b) and (c) require systematic application of the same principles with straightforward algebra. The multi-stage nature adds some complexity, but the problem follows a predictable template with no novel insights required—slightly easier than average A-level.
Spec6.03b Conservation of momentum: 1D two particles6.03i Coefficient of restitution: e6.03k Newton's experimental law: direct impact6.03l Newton's law: oblique impacts

A smooth sphere \(P\) of mass \(2m\) 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 \(\frac{2}{9}u\) and \(\frac{8}{9}u\) respectively. [7]
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.
  1. Find the value of \(e\). [7]
  2. Explain why there must be a third collision between \(P\) and \(Q\). [1]

Part (a)
AnswerMarks Guidance
L.M. \(2u = 2x + y\)M1 A1
NEL \(y - x = \frac{1}{3}u\)M1 A1
Solving to \(x = \frac{5}{9}u\) (*)M1 A1
\(y = \frac{8}{9}u\) (*)A1 (7 marks)
Part (b)
AnswerMarks Guidance
\((\pm) \frac{8}{9}eu\)B1
L.M. \(\frac{10}{9}u - \frac{8}{9}eu = w\)M1 A1
NEL \(w = \frac{1}{3}\left(\frac{5}{9}u + \frac{8}{9}eu\right)\)M1 A1
Solving to \(e = \frac{25}{32}\) accept 0.7812sM1 A1 (7 marks)
Part (c)
AnswerMarks Guidance
Q still has velocity and will bounce back from wall colliding with stationary P.B1 (1 mark)
(15 marks total)
## Part (a)

L.M. $2u = 2x + y$ | M1 A1 |

NEL $y - x = \frac{1}{3}u$ | M1 A1 |

Solving to $x = \frac{5}{9}u$ (*) | M1 A1 |

$y = \frac{8}{9}u$ (*) | A1 | **(7 marks)**

## Part (b)

$(\pm) \frac{8}{9}eu$ | B1 |

L.M. $\frac{10}{9}u - \frac{8}{9}eu = w$ | M1 A1 |

NEL $w = \frac{1}{3}\left(\frac{5}{9}u + \frac{8}{9}eu\right)$ | M1 A1 |

Solving to $e = \frac{25}{32}$ accept 0.7812s | M1 A1 | **(7 marks)**

## Part (c)

Q still has velocity and will bounce back from wall colliding with stationary P. | B1 | **(1 mark)**

**(15 marks total)**

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A smooth sphere $P$ of mass $2m$ 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.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Show that, immediately after the collision, the speeds of $P$ and $Q$ are $\frac{2}{9}u$ and $\frac{8}{9}u$ respectively. [7]
\end{enumerate}

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.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\setcounter{enumi}{1}
\item Find the value of $e$. [7]
\item Explain why there must be a third collision between $P$ and $Q$. [1]
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel M2 2003 Q6 [15]}}