\includegraphics{figure_2}
A small ball \(Q\) of mass \(2m\) is at rest at the point \(B\) on a smooth horizontal plane. A second small ball \(P\) of mass \(m\) is moving on the plane with speed \(\frac{13}{12}u\) and collides with \(Q\). Both the balls are smooth, uniform and of the same radius. The point \(C\) is on a smooth vertical wall \(W\) which is at a distance \(d_1\) from \(B\), and \(BC\) is perpendicular to \(W\). A second smooth vertical wall is perpendicular to \(W\) and at a distance \(d_2\) from \(B\). Immediately before the collision occurs, the direction of motion of \(P\) makes an angle \(\alpha\) with \(BC\), as shown in Fig. 2, where \(\tan \alpha = \frac{5}{12}\). The line of centres of \(P\) and \(Q\) is parallel to \(BC\). After the collision \(Q\) moves towards \(C\) with speed \(\frac{5}{4}u\).
- Show that, after the collision, the velocity components of \(P\) parallel and perpendicular to \(CB\) are \(\frac{1}{4}u\) and \(\frac{5}{12}u\) respectively.
[4]
- Find the coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\).
[2]
- Show that when \(Q\) reaches \(C\), \(P\) is at a distance \(\frac{4}{5}d_1\) from \(W\).
[3]
For each collision between a ball and a wall the coefficient of restitution is \(\frac{1}{2}\).
Given that the balls collide with each other again,
- show that the time between the two collisions of the balls is \(\frac{15d_1}{u}\).
[4]
- find the ratio \(d_1 : d_2\).
[5]