Loss of kinetic energy

Two particles, of masses \(3m\) and \(m\), are moving in the same straight line towards each other with speeds \(2u\) and \(u\) respectively. When they collide, the impulse acting on each particle has magnitude \(4mu\). Show that the total loss in kinetic energy is \(\frac{4}{5}mu^2\). [6]

Two particles, of masses \(3m\) and \(m\), are moving in the same straight line towards each other with speeds \(2u\) and \(u\) respectively. When they collide, the impulse acting on each particle has magnitude \(4mu\). Show that the total loss in kinetic energy is \(\frac{5}{2}mu^2\). [6]

70% of the total kinetic energy of the spheres is lost as a result of the collision.

1. Given that \(\tan \theta = \frac{1}{3}\), find the value of \(k\). [6]

Two smooth uniform spheres \(A\) and \(B\) have equal radii. Sphere \(A\) has mass \(m\) and sphere \(B\) has mass \(km\). The spheres are at rest on a smooth horizontal table. Sphere \(A\) is then projected along the table with speed \(u\) and collides with \(B\). Immediately before the collision, the direction of motion of \(A\) makes an angle of \(60°\) with the line joining the centres of the two spheres. The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(\frac{1}{2}\).

1. Show that the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision is \(\frac{3u}{4(k + 1)}\). [6] Immediately after the collision the direction of motion of \(A\) makes an angle arctan \((2\sqrt{3})\) with the direction of motion of \(B\).
2. Show that \(k = \frac{1}{2}\). [6]
3. Find the loss of kinetic energy due to the collision. [4]

\includegraphics{figure_5} The masses of two spheres \(A\) and \(B\) are \(3m\) kg and \(m\) kg respectively. The spheres are moving towards each other with constant speeds \(2u \, \text{m s}^{-1}\) and \(u \, \text{m s}^{-1}\) respectively along the same straight line towards each other on a smooth horizontal surface (see diagram). The two spheres collide and the coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(e\). After colliding, \(A\) and \(B\) both move in the same direction with speeds \(v \, \text{m s}^{-1}\) and \(w \, \text{m s}^{-1}\), respectively.

1. Find an expression for \(v\) in terms of \(e\) and \(u\). [6]
2. Write down unsimplified expressions in terms of \(e\) and \(u\) for
   1. the total kinetic energy of the spheres before the collision, [1]
   2. the total kinetic energy of the spheres after the collision. [2]
3. Given that the total kinetic energy of the spheres after the collision is \(\lambda\) times the total kinetic energy before the collision, show that $$\lambda = \frac{27e^2 + 25}{52}.$$ [3]
4. Comment on the cases when
   1. \(\lambda = 1\),
   2. \(\lambda = \frac{25}{52}\). [3]