6.03j Perfectly elastic/inelastic: collisions

1 Two uniform small smooth spheres, \(A\) and \(B\), of equal radii and masses 2 kg and 3 kg respectively, are at rest and not in contact on a smooth horizontal plane. Sphere \(A\) receives an impulse of magnitude 8 N s in the direction \(A B\). The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(e\). Find, in terms of \(e\), the speeds of \(A\) and \(B\) after \(A\) collides with \(B\). Given that the spheres move in opposite directions after the collision, show that \(e > \frac { 2 } { 3 }\).

2
A uniform sphere \(P\) of mass \(m\) is at rest on a smooth horizontal table. The sphere is projected along the table with speed \(u\) and strikes a smooth vertical barrier \(A\) at an acute angle \(\alpha\). It then strikes another smooth vertical barrier \(B\) which is at right angles to \(A\) (see diagram). The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and each of the barriers is \(e\). Show that the final direction of motion of \(P\) makes an angle \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi - \alpha\) with the barrier \(B\) and find the total loss in kinetic energy as a result of the two impacts. [7]

2 A small smooth sphere \(A\) of mass \(m\) is moving with speed \(u\) on a smooth horizontal surface when it collides directly with an identical sphere \(B\) which is initially at rest on the surface. The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(e\). Sphere \(B\) subsequently collides with a fixed vertical barrier which is perpendicular to the direction of motion of \(B\). The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the barrier is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\). Given that \(80 \%\) of the initial kinetic energy is lost as a result of the two collisions, find the value of \(e\).

4 Two smooth spheres \(P\) and \(Q\), of equal radius, have masses \(m\) and \(3 m\) respectively. They are moving in the same direction in the same straight line on a smooth horizontal table. Sphere \(P\) has speed \(u\) and collides directly with sphere \(Q\) which has speed \(k u\), where \(0 < k < 1\). Sphere \(P\) is brought to rest by the collision. Show that the coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\) is \(\frac { 3 k + 1 } { 3 ( 1 - k ) }\). One third of the total kinetic energy of the spheres is lost in the collision. Show that $$k = \frac { 1 } { 3 } ( 2 \sqrt { } 3 - 3 )$$

4 A particle \(P\) of mass \(2 m\), moving on a smooth horizontal plane with speed \(u\), strikes a fixed smooth vertical barrier. Immediately before the collision the angle between the direction of motion of \(P\) and the barrier is \(60 ^ { \circ }\). The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and the barrier is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 }\). Show that \(P\) loses two-thirds of its kinetic energy in the collision. Subsequently \(P\) collides directly with a particle \(Q\) of mass \(m\) which is moving on the plane with speed \(u\) towards \(P\). The magnitude of the impulse acting on each particle in the collision is \(\frac { 2 } { 3 } m u ( 1 + \sqrt { 3 } )\).

1. Show that the speed of \(P\) after this collision is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } u\).
2. Find the exact value of the coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\).

2 Three uniform small smooth spheres \(A , B\) and \(C\), of equal radii and of masses \(4 m , \lambda m\) and \(m\) respectively, are at rest in a straight line on a smooth horizontal plane, with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). Sphere \(A\) is projected directly towards \(B\) with speed \(u\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\), and between \(B\) and \(C\), is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\). Show that the speed of \(B\) after it is struck by \(A\) is \(\frac { 6 u } { \lambda + 4 }\). Given that the speed of \(C\) after it is struck by \(B\) is \(u\), find the value of \(\lambda\).

1 Two smooth spheres \(A\) and \(B\), of equal radii and masses \(2 m\) and \(m\) respectively, lie at rest on a smooth horizontal table. The spheres \(A\) and \(B\) are projected directly towards each other with speeds \(4 u\) and \(3 u\) respectively. The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(e\). Find the set of values of \(e\) for which the direction of motion of \(A\) is reversed in the collision.

7. Two particles \(A\) and \(B\), of mass \(2 m\) and \(3 m\) respectively, are initially at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. Particle \(A\) is projected with speed \(3 u\) towards \(B\). Particle \(A\) collides directly with particle \(B\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\frac { 3 } { 4 }\)

1. Find
   1. the speed of \(A\) immediately after the collision,
   2. the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision. After the collision \(B\) hits a fixed smooth vertical wall and rebounds. The wall is perpendicular to the direction of motion of \(B\). The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the wall is \(e\). The magnitude of the impulse received by \(B\) when it hits the wall is \(\frac { 27 } { 4 } m u\).
2. Find the value of \(e\).
3. Determine whether there is a further collision between \(A\) and \(B\) after \(B\) rebounds from the wall.
   

2 Two smooth spheres \(A\) and \(B\), of equal radius and of masses 0.2 kg and 0.1 kg respectively, are free to move on a smooth horizontal table. \(A\) is moving with speed \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) when it collides directly with \(B\), which is stationary. The collision is perfectly elastic. Calculate the speed of \(A\) after the impact. [4]

6 A small ball of mass 0.5 kg is held at a height of 3.136 m above a horizontal floor. The ball is released from rest and rebounds from the floor. The coefficient of restitution between the ball and floor is \(e\).

1. Find in terms of \(e\) the speed of the ball immediately after the impact with the floor and the impulse that the floor exerts on the ball. The ball continues to bounce until it eventually comes to rest.
2. Show that the time between the first bounce and the second bounce is \(1.6 e\).
3. Write down, in terms of \(e\), the time between
   1. the second bounce and the third bounce,
   2. the third bounce and the fourth bounce.
   3. Given that the time from the ball being released until it comes to rest is 5 s , find the value of \(e\).

4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{35477eb8-59e0-4de6-889c-1f5841f65eec-3_168_956_246_593} Three smooth spheres \(A , B\) and \(C\), of equal radius and of masses \(m \mathrm {~kg} , 2 m \mathrm {~kg}\) and \(3 m \mathrm {~kg}\) respectively, lie in a straight line and are free to move on a smooth horizontal table. Sphere \(A\) is moving with speed \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) when it collides directly with sphere \(B\) which is stationary. As a result of the collision \(B\) starts to move with speed \(2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).

1. Find the coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\).
2. Find, in terms of \(m\), the magnitude of the impulse that \(A\) exerts on \(B\), and state the direction of this impulse. Sphere \(B\) subsequently collides with sphere \(C\) which is stationary. As a result of this impact \(B\) and \(C\) coalesce.
3. Show that there will be another collision.

8 Two uniform smooth spheres, \(A\) and \(B\), have the same radius. The mass of \(A\) is 2 kg and the mass of \(B\) is \(m \mathrm {~kg}\). Sphere \(A\) is travelling in a straight line on a smooth horizontal surface, with speed \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), when it collides directly with sphere \(B\), which is at rest. As a result of the collision, sphere \(A\) continues in the same direction with a speed of \(2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).

1. Find the greatest possible value of \(m\). It is given that \(m = 1\).
2. Find the coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\). On another occasion \(A\) and \(B\) are travelling towards each other, each with speed \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), when they collide directly.
3. Find the kinetic energy lost due to the collision.

4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{5960a9cf-2c51-4c07-9973-c29604762df7-3_218_1335_251_367} Three particles \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) are free to move in the same straight line on a large smooth horizontal surface. Their masses are \(1.2 \mathrm {~kg} , 1.8 \mathrm {~kg}\) and \(m \mathrm {~kg}\) respectively (see diagram). The coefficient of restitution in collisions between any two of them is \(\frac { 3 } { 4 }\). Initially, \(B\) and \(C\) are at rest and \(A\) is moving with a velocity of \(4.0 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) towards \(B\).

1. Show that immediately after the collision between \(A\) and \(B\) the speed of \(B\) is \(2.8 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\).
2. Find the velocity of \(A\) immediately after this collision. \(B\) subsequently collides with \(C\).
3. Find, in terms of \(m\), the velocity of \(B\) after its collision with \(C\).
4. Given that the direction of motion of \(B\) is reversed by the collision with \(C\), find the range of possible values of \(m\).

6 Particles \(A\) of mass \(2 m\) and \(B\) of mass \(m\) are on a smooth horizontal floor. \(A\) is moving with speed \(u\) directly towards a vertical wall, and \(B\) is at rest between \(A\) and the wall (see diagram). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{74bada9e-60cf-4ed4-abd0-4be155b7cf81-5_224_828_354_244} A collides directly with \(B\). The coefficient of restitution in this collision is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\). \(B\) then collides with the wall, rebounds, and collides with \(A\) for a second time.

1. Show that the speed of \(B\) after its second collision with \(A\) is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } u\). The first collision between \(A\) and \(B\) occurs at a distance \(d\) from the wall. The second collision between \(A\) and \(B\) occurs at a distance \(\frac { 1 } { 5 } d\) from the wall.
2. Find the coefficient of restitution for the collision between \(B\) and the wall.

1 Two stones, A and B , are sliding along the same straight line on a horizontal sheet of ice. Stone A, of mass 50 kg , is moving with a constant velocity of \(2.1 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) towards stone B. Stone B, of mass 70 kg , is moving with a constant velocity of \(0.8 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) towards stone A. A and B collide directly. Immediately after their collision stone A's velocity is \(0.35 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) in the same direction as its velocity before the collision.

1. Find the speed of stone B immediately after the collision.
2. Find the coefficient of restitution for the collision.
3. Find the total loss of kinetic energy caused by the collision.
4. Explain whether the collision was perfectly elastic.

7 Two particles, \(P\) and \(Q\), are on a smooth horizontal floor. \(P\), of mass 1 kg , is moving with speed \(1.79 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) directly towards a vertical wall. \(Q\), of mass 2.74 kg , is between \(P\) and the wall, moving directly towards \(P\) with speed \(0.08 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) (see diagram). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{98053e88-1aec-4b0d-ae5f-ece4ad340266-4_232_830_1370_246} \(P\) and \(Q\) collide directly and the coefficient of restitution for this collision is denoted by \(e\).

1. Show that after this collision the speed of \(Q\) is given by \(0.42 + 0.5 e \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). After this collision, \(Q\) then goes on to collide directly with the wall. The coefficient of restitution for the collision between \(Q\) and the wall is also \(e\). There is then no subsequent collision between \(P\) and \(Q\).
2. Determine the range of possible values of \(e\).

5 Two identical spheres, \(A\) and \(B\), each of mass 4 kg , are moving directly towards each other along the same straight line on a smooth horizontal surface until they collide. Before they collide, the speeds of \(A\) and \(B\) are \(5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) and \(3 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) respectively. Immediately after they collide, the speed of \(A\) is \(2 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) and its direction of motion has been reversed.

1. 1. Determine the velocity of \(B\) immediately after \(A\) and \(B\) collide.
   2. Show that the coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\frac { 3 } { 4 }\).
   3. Calculate the total loss of kinetic energy due to this collision. Sphere \(B\) goes on to strike a fixed wall directly. As a result of this collision \(B\) moves along the same straight line with a speed of \(4 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\).
2. Find the coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the wall, stating whether the collision between \(B\) and the wall is perfectly elastic.
3. Determine the magnitude of the impulse that \(B\) exerts on \(A\) the next time that they collide.

1 A particle \(P\) of mass 2.5 kg is moving with a constant speed of \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) in a straight line on a smooth horizontal plane when it collides directly with a fixed vertical wall. After the collision \(P\) moves away from the wall with a speed of \(2.8 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\).

1. Calculate the coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and the wall.
2. Find the magnitude and state the direction of the impulse exerted on \(P\) by the wall.
3. State the magnitude and direction of the impulse exerted on the wall by \(P\).

5 Two particles, \(A\) of mass \(m _ { A } \mathrm {~kg}\) and \(B\) of mass 5 kg , are moving directly towards each other on a smooth horizontal floor. Before they collide they have speeds \(\mathrm { u } _ { \mathrm { A } } \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) and \(2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) respectively. Immediately after they collide the direction of motion of each particle has been reversed and \(A\) and \(B\) have speeds \(3.25 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and \(0.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) respectively (see diagram). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is 0.75 . Before: \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{d2156252-71f2-4084-89a2-4d246583eb65-4_218_711_552_283} After: \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{d2156252-71f2-4084-89a2-4d246583eb65-4_218_707_552_1078}

1. Determine the value of \(m _ { A }\) and the value of \(u _ { A }\).
   [0pt] [5]
2. Show that approximately \(41 \%\) of the kinetic energy of the system is lost in this collision. After the collision between \(A\) and \(B\), \(B\) goes on to collide directly with a third particle \(C\) of mass 3 kg which is travelling towards \(B\) with a speed of \(5.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and \(C\) is denoted by \(e\).
3. Given that, after \(B\) and \(C\) collide, there are no further collisions between \(A , B\) and \(C\) determine the range of possible values of \(e\).

2 A particle \(P\) of mass 4.5 kg is moving in a straight line on a smooth horizontal surface at a speed of \(2.4 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) when it strikes a vertical wall directly. It rebounds at a speed of \(1.6 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\).

1. Find the coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and the wall.
2. Determine the impulse applied to \(P\) by the wall, stating its direction.
3. Find the loss of kinetic energy of \(P\) as a result of the collision.
4. State, with a reason, whether the collision is perfectly elastic.

8 Two smooth circular discs, \(A\) and \(B\), have equal radii and are free to move on a smooth horizontal plane. The masses of \(A\) and \(B\) are 1 kg and \(m \mathrm {~kg}\) respectively. \(B\) is initially placed at rest with its centre at the origin, \(O\). \(A\) is projected towards \(B\) with a velocity of \(u \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(\theta\) to the negative \(y\)-axis where \(\tan \theta = \frac { 5 } { 2 }\). At the instant of collision the line joining their centres lies on the \(x\)-axis. There are two straight vertical walls on the plane. One is perpendicular to the \(x\)-axis and the other is perpendicular to the \(y\)-axis. The walls are an equal distance from \(O\) (see diagram). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{857eca7f-c42d-49a9-ac39-a2fb5bcb9cd5-7_944_1241_694_242} After \(A\) and \(B\) have collided with each other, each of them goes on to collide with a wall. Each then rebounds and they collide again at the same place as their first collision, with disc \(B\) again at \(O\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is denoted by \(e\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and the wall that it collides with is also \(e\) while the coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the wall that it collides with is \(\frac { 5 } { 9 } e\). It is assumed that any resistance to the motion of \(A\) and \(B\) may be ignored.

1. Explain why it must be the case that the collision between \(A\) and the wall that it collides with is not inelastic.
2. Show that \(\mathrm { e } = \frac { 1 } { \mathrm {~m} }\).
3. Show that \(m = \frac { 5 } { 3 }\).
4. State one limitation of the model used.

6 Two identical spheres, \(A\) and \(B\), each of mass \(m \mathrm {~kg}\), are moving directly towards each other along the same straight line on a smooth horizontal surface until they collide. Just before they collide, the speeds of \(A\) and \(B\) are \(20 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) and \(10 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) respectively. The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(e\).

1. By finding, in terms of \(e\), an expression for the velocity of \(B\) after the collision, show that the direction of motion of \(B\) is reversed by the collision. After the collision between \(A\) and \(B\), which is not perfectly elastic, \(B\) goes on to collide directly with a fixed, vertical wall. The coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and the wall is \(\frac { 2 } { 5 } e\). After the collision between \(B\) and the wall, there are no further collisions between \(A\) and \(B\).
2. Determine the range of possible values of \(e\). \(7 \quad\) A body \(B\) of mass 1.5 kg is moving along the \(x\)-axis. At the instant that it is at the origin, \(O\), its velocity is \(u \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) in the positive \(x\)-direction. At any instant, the resistance to the motion of \(B\) is modelled as being directly proportional to \(v ^ { 2 }\) where \(v \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) is the velocity of \(B\) at that instant. The resistance to motion is the only horizontal force acting on \(B\). At an instant when \(B\) 's velocity is \(2 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\), the resistance to its motion is 24 N .

6 Two smooth circular discs \(A\) and \(B\) are moving on a horizontal plane. The masses of \(A\) and \(B\) are 3 kg and 4 kg respectively. At the instant before they collide

• the velocity of \(A\) is \(2 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(60 ^ { \circ }\) to the line joining their centres,
• the velocity of \(B\) is \(5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) towards \(A\) along the line joining their centres (see Fig. 6).

\begin{figure}[h] \end{figure} Given that the velocity of \(A\) after the collision is perpendicular to the velocity of \(A\) before the collision, find

1. the coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\),
2. the total loss of kinetic energy as a result of the collision.

2 Two toy trains, \(A\) and \(B\), are moving in the same direction on a straight horizontal track when they collide. As they collide, the speed of \(A\) is \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and the speed of \(B\) is \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). Immediately after the collision, they move together with a speed of \(3.8 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The mass of \(A\) is 2 kg . Find the mass of \(B\).