Three-particle sequential collisions

A question is this type if and only if three particles lie in a straight line with the middle particle initially at rest or moving, and two successive collisions occur (A hits B, then B hits C), often asking whether further collisions occur.

36 questions · Standard +0.7

6.03b Conservation of momentum: 1D two particles6.03k Newton's experimental law: direct impact
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Pre-U Pre-U 9794/3 2016 Specimen Q9
10 marks Standard +0.8
9 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{01bd6354-3514-4dad-901b-7ecbe155b2c7-5_118_851_1265_607} Three particles \(A , B\) and \(C\), having masses of \(1 \mathrm {~kg} , 2 \mathrm {~kg}\) and 5 kg respectively, are placed 1 metre apart in a straight line on a smooth horizontal plane (see diagram). The particles \(B\) and \(C\) are initially at rest and \(A\) is moving towards \(B\) with speed \(14 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). The coefficient of restitution between each pair of particles is 0.5 .
  1. Find the velocity of \(B\) immediately after the first impact and show that \(A\) comes to rest.
  2. Show that \(B\) reversed direction after the impact with \(C\).
  3. Find the distances between \(B\) and \(C\) at the instant that \(B\) collides with \(A\) for the second time.
Pre-U Pre-U 9794/3 2016 Specimen Q9
10 marks Standard +0.8
9 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{b18b1bc5-bf26-4161-b5a5-764b00e97bea-5_118_851_1265_607} Three particles \(A , B\) and \(C\), having masses of \(1 \mathrm {~kg} , 2 \mathrm {~kg}\) and 5 kg respectively, are placed 1 metre apart in a straight line on a smooth horizontal plane (see diagram). The particles \(B\) and \(C\) are initially at rest and \(A\) is moving towards \(B\) with speed \(14 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). The coefficient of restitution between each pair of particles is 0.5 .
  1. Find the velocity of \(B\) immediately after the first impact and show that \(A\) comes to rest.
  2. Show that \(B\) reversed direction after the impact with \(C\).
  3. Find the distances between \(B\) and \(C\) at the instant that \(B\) collides with \(A\) for the second time.
CAIE FP2 2019 June Q3
10 marks Standard +0.3
Three uniform small spheres \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) have equal radii and masses \(2m\), \(4m\) and \(m\) respectively. The spheres are moving in a straight line on a smooth horizontal surface, with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). The coefficient of restitution between each pair of spheres is \(e\). Spheres \(A\) and \(B\) are moving towards each other with speeds \(2u\) and \(u\) respectively. The first collision is between \(A\) and \(B\).
  1. Find the velocities of \(A\) and \(B\) after this collision. [3] Sphere \(C\) is moving towards \(B\) with speed \(\frac{1}{2}u\) and now collides with it. As a result of this collision, \(B\) is brought to rest.
  2. Find the value of \(e\). [4]
  3. Find the total kinetic energy lost by the three spheres as a result of the two collisions. [3]
Edexcel M2 2015 June Q5
13 marks Standard +0.3
Three particles \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) lie at rest in a straight line on a smooth horizontal table with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). The masses of \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) are \(3m\), \(4m\), and \(5m\) respectively. Particle \(A\) is projected with speed \(u\) towards particle \(B\) and collides directly with \(B\). The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\) is \(\frac{1}{3}\).
  1. Show that the impulse exerted by \(A\) on \(B\) in this collision has magnitude \(\frac{16}{7}mu\) [7]
After the collision between \(A\) and \(B\) there is a direct collision between \(B\) and \(C\). After this collision between \(B\) and \(C\), the kinetic energy of \(C\) is \(\frac{72}{245}mu^2\)
  1. Find the coefficient of restitution between \(B\) and \(C\). [6]
Edexcel M2 2007 January Q4
12 marks Standard +0.3
A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is moving in a straight line on a smooth horizontal table. Another particle \(Q\) of mass \(km\) is at rest on the table. The particle \(P\) collides directly with \(Q\). The direction of motion of \(P\) is reversed by the collision. After the collision, the speed of \(P\) is \(v\) and the speed of \(Q\) is \(3v\). The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\) is \(\frac{1}{2}\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(v\) only, the speed of \(P\) before the collision. [3]
  2. Find the value of \(k\). [3]
After being struck by \(P\), the particle \(Q\) collides directly with a particle \(R\) of mass \(11m\) which is at rest on the table. After this second collision, \(Q\) and \(R\) have the same speed and are moving in opposite directions. Show that
  1. the coefficient of restitution between \(Q\) and \(R\) is \(\frac{1}{4}\), [4]
  2. there will be a further collision between \(P\) and \(Q\). [2]
Edexcel M2 2012 January Q6
15 marks Standard +0.3
Three identical particles, \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\), lie at rest in a straight line on a smooth horizontal table with \(B\) between \(A\) and \(C\). The mass of each particle is \(m\). Particle \(A\) is projected towards \(B\) with speed \(u\) and collides directly with \(B\). The coefficient of restitution between each pair of particles is \(\frac{2}{3}\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(u\),
    1. the speed of \(A\) after this collision,
    2. the speed of \(B\) after this collision.
    [7]
  2. Show that the kinetic energy lost in this collision is \(\frac{5}{36}mu^2\) [4]
After the collision between \(A\) and \(B\), particle \(B\) collides directly with \(C\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(u\), the speed of \(C\) immediately after this collision between \(B\) and \(C\). [4]
Edexcel M2 Q5
10 marks Standard +0.8
Three particles \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\), of equal size and each of mass \(m\), are at rest on the same straight line on a smooth horizontal surface. The coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\), and between \(B\) and \(C\), is \(e\). \(A\) is projected with speed \(7\) ms\(^{-1}\) and strikes \(B\) directly. \(B\) then collides with \(C\), which starts to move with speed \(4\) ms\(^{-1}\). Calculate the value of \(e\). [10 marks]
OCR M2 Q4
9 marks Standard +0.3
\includegraphics{figure_4} Three smooth spheres \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\), of equal radius and of masses \(m\) kg, \(2m\) kg and \(3m\) kg respectively, lie in a straight line and are free to move on a smooth horizontal table. Sphere \(A\) is moving with speed 5 m 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 m s\(^{-1}\).
  1. Find the coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\). [4]
  2. Find, in terms of \(m\), the magnitude of the impulse that \(A\) exerts on \(B\), and state the direction of this impulse. [2]
Sphere \(B\) subsequently collides with sphere \(C\) which is stationary. As a result of this impact \(B\) and \(C\) coalesce.
  1. Show that there will be another collision. [3]
OCR FM1 AS 2021 June Q4
12 marks Standard +0.8
Three particles \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) are free to move in the same straight line on a large smooth horizontal surface. Their masses are 3.3 kg, 2.2 kg and 1 kg respectively. The coefficient of restitution in collisions between any two of them is \(e\). Initially, \(B\) and \(C\) are at rest and \(A\) is moving towards \(B\) with speed \(u \text{ ms}^{-1}\) (see diagram). \(A\) collides directly with \(B\) and \(B\) then goes on to collide directly with \(C\). \includegraphics{figure_4}
  1. The velocities of \(A\) and \(B\) immediately after the first collision are denoted by \(v_A \text{ ms}^{-1}\) and \(v_B \text{ ms}^{-1}\) respectively. \(\bullet\) Show that \(v_A = \frac{u(3-2e)}{5}\). \(\bullet\) Find an expression for \(v_B\) in terms of \(u\) and \(e\). [4]
  2. Find an expression in terms of \(u\) and \(e\) for the velocity of \(B\) immediately after its collision with \(C\). [4]
After the collision between \(B\) and \(C\) there is a further collision between \(A\) and \(B\).
  1. Determine the range of possible values of \(e\). [4]
Pre-U Pre-U 9794/3 2019 Specimen Q9
10 marks Challenging +1.2
\includegraphics{figure_9} Three particles \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\), having masses of 1 kg, 2 kg and 5 kg respectively, are placed 1 metre apart in a straight line on a smooth horizontal plane (see diagram). The particles \(B\) and \(C\) are initially at rest and \(A\) is moving towards \(B\) with speed 14 m s\(^{-1}\). The coefficient of restitution between each pair of particles is 0.5.
  1. Find the velocity of \(B\) immediately after the first impact and show that \(A\) comes to rest. [4]
  2. Show that \(B\) reversed direction after the impact with \(C\). [3]
  3. Find the distances between \(B\) and \(C\) at the instant that \(B\) collides with \(A\) for the second time. [3]
Pre-U Pre-U 9794/3 2020 Specimen Q9
10 marks Challenging +1.2
\includegraphics{figure_9} Three particles \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\), having masses of 1 kg, 2 kg and 5 kg respectively, are placed 1 metre apart in a straight line on a smooth horizontal plane (see diagram). The particles \(B\) and \(C\) are initially at rest and \(A\) is moving towards \(B\) with speed 14 ms\(^{-1}\). The coefficient of restitution between each pair of particles is 0.5.
  1. Find the velocity of \(B\) immediately after the first impact and show that \(A\) comes to rest. [4]
  2. Show that \(B\) reversed direction after the impact with \(C\). [3]
  3. Find the distances between \(B\) and \(C\) at the instant that \(B\) collides with \(A\) for the second time. [3]