6.03j Perfectly elastic/inelastic: collisions

196 questions

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Edexcel M2 2016 October Q8
14 marks Standard +0.3
8. Particles \(A , B\) and \(C\), of masses \(4 m , k m\) and \(2 m\) respectively, lie at rest in a straight line on a smooth horizontal surface with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). Particle \(A\) is projected towards particle \(B\) with speed \(3 u\) and collides directly with \(B\). The coefficient of restitution between each pair of particles is \(\frac { 2 } { 3 }\) Find
  1. the speed of \(A\) immediately after the collision with \(B\), giving your answer in terms of \(u\) and \(k\),
  2. the range of values of \(k\) for which \(A\) and \(B\) will both be moving in the same direction immediately after they collide. After the collision between \(A\) and \(B\), particle \(B\) collides directly with \(C\). Given that \(k = 4\),
  3. show that there will not be a second collision between \(A\) and \(B\).
    DO NOT WRITEIN THIS AREA
Edexcel M2 2017 October Q8
12 marks Standard +0.8
8. A particle \(A\) of mass \(3 m\) lies at rest on a smooth horizontal floor. A particle \(B\) of mass \(2 m\) is moving in a straight line on the floor with speed \(u\) when it collides directly with \(A\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(e\). As a result of the collision the direction of motion of \(B\) is reversed.
  1. Find an expression, in terms of \(u\) and \(e\), for
    1. the speed of \(A\) immediately after the collision,
    2. the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision. The particle \(A\) subsequently strikes a smooth vertical wall. The wall is perpendicular to the direction of motion of \(A\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and the wall is \(\frac { 1 } { 7 }\) There is a second collision between \(A\) and \(B\).
  2. Show that \(\frac { 2 } { 3 } < e < \frac { 16 } { 19 }\)
Edexcel M2 2018 Specimen Q2
10 marks Moderate -0.3
2. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.7 kg is moving in a straight line on a smooth horizontal surface. The particle \(P\) collides with a particle \(Q\) of mass 1.2 kg which is at rest on the surface. Immediately before the collision the speed of \(P\) is \(6 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). Immediately after the collision both particles are moving in the same direction. The coefficient of restitution between the particles is \(e\).
  1. Show that \(e < \frac { 7 } { 12 }\) Given that \(e = \frac { 1 } { 4 }\)
  2. find the magnitude of the impulse exerted on \(Q\) in the collision.
Edexcel M2 Specimen Q8
15 marks Standard +0.3
8. A small ball A of mass 3 m is moving with speed u in a straight line on a smooth horizontal table. The ball collides directly with another small ball B of mass m moving with speed \(u\) towards \(A\) along the same straight line. The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\). The balls have the same radius and can be modelled as particles.
  1. Find
    1. the speed of A immediately after the collision,
    2. the speed of B immediately after the collision. A fter the collision \(B\) hits a smooth vertical wall which is perpendicular to the direction of motion of \(B\). The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the wall is \(\frac { 2 } { 5 }\).
  2. Find the speed of B immediately after hitting the wall.
    (2) The first collision between A and B occurred at a distance 4a from the wall. The balls collide again \(T\) seconds after the first collision.
  3. Show that \(T = \frac { 112 a } { 15 u }\).
Edexcel M2 2004 January Q6
14 marks Moderate -0.3
6. A smooth sphere \(A\) of mass \(m\) is moving with speed \(u\) on a smooth horizontal table when it collides directly with another smooth sphere \(B\) of mass \(3 m\), which is at rest on the table. The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(e\). The spheres have the same radius and are modelled as particles.
  1. Show that the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision is \(\frac { 1 } { 4 } ( 1 + e ) u\).
  2. Find the speed of \(A\) immediately after the collision. Immediately after the collision the total kinetic energy of the spheres is \(\frac { 1 } { 6 } m u ^ { 2 }\).
  3. Find the value of \(e\).
  4. Hence show that \(A\) is at rest after the collision.
Edexcel M2 2009 January Q7
17 marks Standard +0.3
  1. A particle \(P\) of mass \(3 m\) is moving in a straight line with speed \(2 u\) on a smooth horizontal table. It collides directly with another particle \(Q\) of mass \(2 m\) which is moving with speed \(u\) in the opposite direction to \(P\). The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\) is \(e\).
    1. Show that the speed of \(Q\) immediately after the collision is \(\frac { 1 } { 5 } ( 9 e + 4 ) u\).
    The speed of \(P\) immediately after the collision is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } u\).
  2. Show that \(e = \frac { 1 } { 4 }\). The collision between \(P\) and \(Q\) takes place at the point \(A\). After the collision \(Q\) hits a smooth fixed vertical wall which is at right-angles to the direction of motion of \(Q\). The distance from \(A\) to the wall is \(d\).
  3. Show that \(P\) is a distance \(\frac { 3 } { 5 } d\) from the wall at the instant when \(Q\) hits the wall. Particle \(Q\) rebounds from the wall and moves so as to collide directly with particle \(P\) at the point \(B\). Given that the coefficient of restitution between \(Q\) and the wall is \(\frac { 1 } { 5 }\),
  4. find, in terms of \(d\), the distance of the point \(B\) from the wall.
Edexcel M2 2007 June Q7
13 marks Standard +0.8
  1. Two small spheres \(P\) and \(Q\) of equal radius have masses \(m\) and \(5 m\) respectively. They lie on a smooth horizontal table. Sphere \(P\) is moving with speed \(u\) when it collides directly with sphere \(Q\) which is at rest. The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(e\), where \(e > \frac { 1 } { 5 }\).
    1. (i) Show that the speed of \(P\) immediately after the collision is \(\frac { u } { 6 } ( 5 e - 1 )\).
      (ii) Find an expression for the speed of \(Q\) immediately after the collision, giving your answer in the form \(\lambda u\), where \(\lambda\) is in terms of \(e\).
      (6)
    Three small spheres \(A , B\) and \(C\) of equal radius lie at rest in a straight line on a smooth horizontal table, with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). The spheres \(A\) and \(C\) each have mass \(5 m\), and the mass of \(B\) is \(m\). Sphere \(B\) is projected towards \(C\) with speed \(u\). The coefficient of restitution between each pair of spheres is \(\frac { 4 } { 5 }\).
  2. Show that, after \(B\) and \(C\) have collided, there is a collision between \(B\) and \(A\).
  3. Determine whether, after \(B\) and \(A\) have collided, there is a further collision between \(B\) and \(C\).
Edexcel M2 2008 June Q2
9 marks Standard +0.3
2. A particle \(A\) of mass \(4 m\) is moving with speed \(3 u\) in a straight line on a smooth horizontal table. The particle \(A\) collides directly with a particle \(B\) of mass \(3 m\) moving with speed \(2 u\) in the same direction as \(A\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(e\). Immediately after the collision the speed of \(B\) is \(4 e u\).
  1. Show that \(e = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\).
  2. Find the total kinetic energy lost in the collision.
Edexcel M2 2013 June Q7
15 marks Standard +0.3
7. Three particles \(P , Q\) and \(R\) lie at rest in a straight line on a smooth horizontal table with \(Q\) between \(P\) and \(R\). The particles \(P , Q\) and \(R\) have masses \(2 m , 3 m\) and \(4 m\) respectively. Particle \(P\) is projected towards \(Q\) with speed \(u\) and collides directly with it. The coefficient of restitution between each pair of particles is \(e\).
  1. Show that the speed of \(Q\) immediately after the collision with \(P\) is \(\frac { 2 } { 5 } ( 1 + e ) u\). After the collision between \(P\) and \(Q\) there is a direct collision between \(Q\) and \(R\).
    Given that \(e = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\), find
    1. the speed of \(Q\) after this collision,
    2. the speed of \(R\) after this collision. Immediately after the collision between \(Q\) and \(R\), the rate of increase of the distance between \(P\) and \(R\) is \(V\).
  2. Find \(V\) in terms of \(u\).
Edexcel M2 2014 June Q7
14 marks Standard +0.3
7. A particle \(P\) of mass \(2 m\) is moving in a straight line with speed \(3 u\) on a smooth horizontal table. A second particle \(Q\) of mass \(3 m\) is moving in the opposite direction to \(P\) along the same straight line with speed \(u\). The particle \(P\) collides directly with \(Q\). The direction of motion of \(P\) is reversed by the collision. The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\) is \(e\).
  1. Show that the speed of \(Q\) immediately after the collision is \(\frac { u } { 5 } ( 8 e + 3 )\)
  2. Find the range of possible values of \(e\). The total kinetic energy of the particles before the collision is \(T\). The total kinetic energy of the particles after the collision is \(k T\). Given that \(e = \frac { 1 } { 2 }\)
  3. find the value of \(k\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{82cadc37-4cb0-455e-9531-e09ec0c19533-14_104_61_2407_1836}
Edexcel M2 2014 June Q5
9 marks Standard +0.3
5. A particle of mass \(m \mathrm {~kg}\) lies on a smooth horizontal surface. Initially the particle is at rest at a point \(O\) midway between a pair of fixed parallel vertical walls. The walls are 2 m apart. At time \(t = 0\) the particle is projected from \(O\) with speed \(u \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) in a direction perpendicular to the walls. The coefficient of restitution between the particle and each wall is \(\frac { 2 } { 3 }\). The magnitude of the impulse on the particle due to the first impact with a wall is \(\lambda m u \mathrm {~N} \mathrm {~s}\).
  1. Find the value of \(\lambda\). The particle returns to \(O\), having bounced off each wall once, at time \(t = 3\) seconds.
  2. Find the value of \(u\).
Edexcel M2 2015 June Q8
13 marks Standard +0.8
  1. Three identical particles \(P , Q\) and \(R\), each of mass \(m\), lie in a straight line on a smooth horizontal plane with \(Q\) between \(P\) and \(R\). Particles \(P\) and \(Q\) are projected directly towards each other with speeds \(4 u\) and \(2 u\) respectively, and at the same time particle \(R\) is projected along the line away from \(Q\) with speed \(3 u\). The coefficient of restitution between each pair of particles is \(e\). After the collision between \(P\) and \(Q\) there is a collision between \(Q\) and \(R\).
    1. Show that \(e > \frac { 2 } { 3 }\)
    It is given that \(e = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\)
  2. Show that there will not be a further collision between \(P\) and \(Q\).
Edexcel M2 2017 June Q7
14 marks Standard +0.3
  1. Two particles \(A\) and \(B\), of masses \(3 m\) and \(4 m\) respectively, lie at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. Particle \(B\) lies between \(A\) and a smooth vertical wall which is perpendicular to the line joining \(A\) and \(B\). Particle \(B\) is projected with speed \(5 u\) in a direction perpendicular to the wall and collides with the wall. The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the wall is \(\frac { 3 } { 5 }\).
    1. Find the magnitude of the impulse received by \(B\) in the collision with the wall.
    After the collision with the wall, \(B\) rebounds from the wall and collides directly with \(A\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(e\).
  2. Show that, immediately after they collide, \(A\) and \(B\) are both moving in the same direction. The kinetic energy of \(B\) immediately after it collides with \(A\) is one quarter of the kinetic energy of \(B\) immediately before it collides with \(A\).
  3. Find the value of \(e\).
    Leave blankQ7
Edexcel M2 2018 June Q5
13 marks Standard +0.3
5. A particle \(A\) of mass \(3 m\) is moving in a straight line with speed \(2 u\) on a smooth horizontal floor. Particle \(A\) collides directly with another particle \(B\) of mass \(2 m\) which is moving along the same straight line with speed \(u\) but in the opposite direction to \(A\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 }\).
    1. Show that the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision is \(\frac { 7 } { 5 } u\)
    2. Find the speed of \(A\) immediately after the collision. After the collision, \(B\) hits a smooth vertical wall which is perpendicular to the direction of motion of \(B\). The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the wall is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\). The first collision between \(A\) and \(B\) occurred at a distance \(x\) from the wall. The particles collide again at a distance \(y\) from the wall.
  1. Find \(y\) in terms of \(x\).
Edexcel M2 Q1
5 marks Moderate -0.8
  1. A smooth sphere is moving with speed \(U\) in a straight line on a smooth horizontal plane. It strikes a fixed smooth vertical wall at right angles. The coefficient of restitution between the sphere and the wall is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\).
Find the fraction of the kinetic energy of the sphere that is lost as a result of the impact.
(5 marks)
Edexcel M2 Q5
9 marks Standard +0.3
5. A smooth sphere \(S\) of mass \(m\) is moving with speed \(u\) on a smooth horizontal plane. The sphere \(S\) collides with another smooth sphere \(T\), of equal radius to \(S\) but of mass \(k m\), moving in the same straight line and in the same direction with speed \(\lambda u , 0 < \lambda < \frac { 1 } { 2 }\). The coefficient of restitution between \(S\) and \(T\) is \(e\). Given that \(S\) is brought to rest by the impact,
  1. show that \(e = \frac { 1 + k \lambda } { k ( 1 - \lambda ) }\).
  2. Deduce that \(k > 1\).
Edexcel M2 Specimen Q8
13 marks Standard +0.3
8. A particle \(A\) of mass \(m\) is moving with speed \(3 u\) on a smooth horizontal table when it collides directly with a particle \(B\) of mass \(2 m\) which is moving in the opposite direction with speed \(u\). The direction of motion of \(A\) is reversed by the collision. The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(e\).
  1. Show that the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } ( 1 + 4 e ) u\).
    (6)
  2. Show that \(e > \frac { 1 } { 8 }\).
    (3) Subsequently \(B\) hits a wall fixed at right angles to the line of motion of \(A\) and \(B\). The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the wall is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\). After \(B\) rebounds from the wall, there is a further collision between \(A\) and \(B\).
  3. Show that \(e < \frac { 1 } { 4 }\).
    (4) END
Edexcel M2 2005 June Q5
14 marks Standard +0.3
5. Two small spheres \(A\) and \(B\) have mass \(3 m\) and \(2 m\) respectively. They are moving towards each other in opposite directions on a smooth horizontal plane, both with speed \(2 u\), when they collide directly. As a result of the collision, the direction of motion of \(B\) is reversed and its speed is unchanged.
  1. Find the coefficient of restitution between the spheres. Subsequently, \(B\) collides directly with another small sphere \(C\) of mass \(5 m\) which is at rest. The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and \(C\) is \(\frac { 3 } { 5 }\).
  2. Show that, after \(B\) collides with \(C\), there will be no further collisions between the spheres.
OCR M1 2013 January Q6
15 marks Moderate -0.8
6 Particle \(P\) of mass 0.3 kg and particle \(Q\) of mass 0.2 kg are 3.6 m apart on a smooth horizontal surface. \(P\) and \(Q\) are simultaneously projected directly towards each other along a straight line. Before the particles collide \(P\) has speed \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and \(Q\) has speed \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Given that the particles coalesce in the collision, calculate their common speed after they collide.
  2. It is given instead that one particle is at rest immediately after the collision.
    1. State which particle is in motion after the collision and find the speed of this particle.
    2. Find the time taken after the collision for the moving particle to return to its initial position.
    3. On a single diagram sketch the \(( t , v )\) graphs for the two particles, with \(t = 0\) as the instant of their initial projection. \(7 \quad A\) and \(B\) are two points on a line of greatest slope of a plane inclined at \(45 ^ { \circ }\) to the horizontal and \(A B = 2 \mathrm {~m}\). A particle \(P\) of mass 0.4 kg is projected from \(A\) towards \(B\) with speed \(5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). The coefficient of friction between the plane and \(P\) is 0.2 .
      1. Given that the level of \(A\) is above the level of \(B\), calculate the speed of \(P\) when it passes through the point \(B\), and the time taken to travel from \(A\) to \(B\).
      2. Given instead that the level of \(A\) is below the level of \(B\),
        (a) show that \(P\) does not reach \(B\),
        (b) calculate the difference in the momentum of \(P\) for the two occasions when it is at \(A\).
CAIE FP2 2009 June Q5
12 marks Challenging +1.2
5 Two spheres \(A\) and \(B\), of equal radius, have masses \(m _ { 1 }\) and \(m _ { 2 }\) respectively. They lie at rest on a smooth horizontal plane. Sphere \(A\) is projected directly towards sphere \(B\) with speed \(u\) and, as a result of the collision, \(A\) is brought to rest. Show that
  1. the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision cannot exceed \(u\),
  2. \(m _ { 1 } \leqslant m _ { 2 }\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{15ed1dfc-8188-4e20-9c0b-ce31af35f0b6-3_273_611_1745_767} After the collision, \(B\) hits a smooth vertical wall which is at an angle of \(60 ^ { \circ }\) to the direction of motion of \(B\) (see diagram). In the impact with the wall \(B\) loses \(\frac { 2 } { 3 }\) of its kinetic energy. Find the coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the wall and show that the direction of motion of \(B\) turns through \(90 ^ { \circ }\).
CAIE FP2 2010 June Q3
9 marks Challenging +1.2
3 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{f8dd2aee-4ed5-4588-aa03-5dd56d9e7529-2_159_707_1443_721} Two perfectly elastic small smooth spheres \(A\) and \(B\) have masses \(3 m\) and \(m\) respectively. They lie at rest on a smooth horizontal plane with \(B\) at a distance \(a\) from a smooth vertical barrier. The line of centres of the spheres is perpendicular to the barrier, and \(B\) is between \(A\) and the barrier (see diagram). Sphere \(A\) is projected towards sphere \(B\) with speed \(u\) and, after the collision between the spheres, \(B\) hits the barrier. The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the barrier is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\). Find the speeds of \(A\) and \(B\) immediately after they first collide, and the distance from the barrier of the point where they collide for the second time.
CAIE FP2 2011 June Q1
8 marks Standard +0.8
1 Three small spheres, \(A , B\) and \(C\), of masses \(m , k m\) and \(6 m\) respectively, have the same radius. They are at rest on a smooth horizontal surface, in a straight line with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\) and the coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and \(C\) is \(e\). Sphere \(A\) is projected towards \(B\) with speed \(u\) and is brought to rest by the subsequent collision. Show that \(k = 2\). Given that there are no further collisions after \(B\) has collided with \(C\), show that \(e \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 3 }\).
CAIE FP2 2013 June Q3
9 marks Challenging +1.2
3 Two uniform small smooth spheres \(A\) and \(B\), of masses \(m\) and \(2 m\) respectively, and with equal radii, are at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. Sphere \(A\) is projected directly towards \(B\) with speed \(u\), and collides with \(B\). After this collision, sphere \(B\) collides directly with a fixed smooth vertical barrier. The total kinetic energy of the spheres after this second collision is equal to one-ninth of its value before the first collision. Given that the coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the barrier is 0.5 , find the coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\).
CAIE FP2 2014 June Q3
10 marks Challenging +1.8
3 Three small smooth spheres \(A , B\) and \(C\) have equal radii and have masses \(m , 9 m\) and \(k m\) respectively. They are at rest on a smooth horizontal table and lie in a straight line with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). The coefficient of restitution between any pair of the spheres is \(e\). Sphere \(A\) is projected directly towards \(B\) with speed \(u\). Given that half of the total kinetic energy is lost as result of the collision between \(A\) and \(B\), find the value of \(e\). After \(B\) and \(C\) collide they move in the same direction and the speed of \(C\) is twice the speed of \(B\). Find the value of \(k\).
CAIE FP2 2015 June Q5
12 marks Challenging +1.2
5 Three uniform small smooth spheres \(A , B\) and \(C\) have equal radii and masses \(3 m , 2 m\) and \(m\) respectively. The spheres are at rest in a straight line on a smooth horizontal surface, with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(e\) and the coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and \(C\) is \(e ^ { \prime }\). Sphere \(A\) is projected directly towards \(B\) with speed \(u\). Show that, after the collision between \(B\) and \(C\), the speed of \(C\) is \(\frac { 2 } { 5 } u ( 1 + e ) \left( 1 + e ^ { \prime } \right)\) and find the corresponding speed of \(B\). After this collision between \(B\) and \(C\) it is found that each of the three spheres has the same momentum. Find the values of \(e\) and \(e ^ { \prime }\).