Oblique collision, direction deflected given angle

A question is this type if and only if in an oblique sphere collision the direction of motion of one sphere is deflected through a specified angle (or turned through 90°, or made perpendicular to original direction), and this condition is used to find e, mass ratio, or incident angle.

19 questions · Challenging +1.4

6.03k Newton's experimental law: direct impact
Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
OCR Further Mechanics 2020 November Q6
12 marks Challenging +1.8
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]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{831ba5da-df19-43bb-b163-02bbddb4e2b8-5_490_1047_470_244} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 6}
\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.
OCR Further Mechanics 2021 November Q7
10 marks Challenging +1.8
7 Two smooth circular discs \(A\) and \(B\) of masses \(m _ { A } \mathrm {~kg}\) and \(m _ { B } \mathrm {~kg}\) respectively are moving on a horizontal plane. At the instant before they collide the velocities of \(A\) and \(B\) are as follows, as shown in the diagram below.
  • The velocity of \(A\) is \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(\alpha\) to the line of centres, where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 4 } { 3 }\).
  • The velocity of \(B\) is \(4 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } \pi\) radians to the line of centres. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{c6445493-9802-46ca-b7eb-7738a831d9ee-5_469_873_548_274}
The direction of motion of \(B\) after the collision is perpendicular to the line of centres.
  1. Show that \(\frac { 3 } { 2 } \leqslant \frac { m _ { B } } { m _ { A } } \leqslant 4\).
  2. Given that \(\mathrm { m } _ { \mathrm { A } } = 2\) and \(\mathrm { m } _ { \mathrm { B } } = 6\), find the total loss of kinetic energy as a result of the collision.
AQA M3 2014 June Q6
12 marks Challenging +1.2
6 Two smooth spheres, \(A\) and \(B\), have equal radii and masses 2 kg and 4 kg respectively. The spheres are moving on a smooth horizontal surface and collide. As they collide, \(A\) has velocity \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(60 ^ { \circ }\) to the line of centres of the spheres, and \(B\) has velocity \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(60 ^ { \circ }\) to the line of centres, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{79a08adc-ba78-4afb-96ef-ed595ad373d8-16_291_844_607_468} Just after the collision, \(B\) moves in a direction perpendicular to the line of centres.
  1. Find the speed of \(A\) immediately after the collision.
  2. Find the acute angle, correct to the nearest degree, between the velocity of \(A\) and the line of centres immediately after the collision.
  3. Find the coefficient of restitution between the spheres.
  4. Find the magnitude of the impulse exerted on \(B\) during the collision.
OCR M3 2013 January Q2
9 marks Challenging +1.2
2 Two uniform smooth spheres \(A\) and \(B\), of equal radius and equal mass, are moving towards each other on a horizontal surface. Immediately before they collide, \(A\) has speed \(0.3 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) along the line of centres and \(B\) has speed \(0.6 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the line of centres (see diagram). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{dfe477d4-eae6-40e1-b704-1a97485f4c7e-2_302_1013_1247_502} After the collision, the direction of motion of \(B\) is at right angles to its original direction of motion. Find
  1. the speed of \(B\) after the collision,
  2. the speed and direction of motion of \(A\) after the collision,
  3. the coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\).
OCR M3 2012 June Q6
11 marks Standard +0.8
6 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{cc74a925-f1c8-4f59-a421-b46444cae5ec-5_387_867_258_575} Two smooth uniform spheres \(A\) and \(B\), of equal radius, have masses 2 kg and \(m \mathrm {~kg}\) respectively. They are moving on a horizontal surface when they collide. Immediately before the collision, \(A\) has speed \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and is moving towards \(B\) at an angle of \(\alpha\) to the line of centres, where \(\cos \alpha = 0.6\). \(B\) has speed \(2 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) and is moving towards \(A\) along the line of centres (see diagram). As a result of the collision, \(A\) 's loss of kinetic energy is \(7.56 \mathrm {~J} , B\) 's direction of motion is reversed and \(B\) 's speed after the collision is \(0.8 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). Find
  1. the speed of \(A\) after the collision,
  2. the component of \(A\) 's velocity after the collision, parallel to the line of centres, stating with a reason whether its direction is to the left or to the right,
  3. the value of \(m\),
  4. the coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\). \(7 S _ { A }\) and \(S _ { B }\) are light elastic strings. \(S _ { A }\) has natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity \(120 \mathrm {~N} ; S _ { B }\) has natural length 3 m and modulus of elasticity 180 N . A particle \(P\) of mass 0.8 kg is attached to one end of each of the strings. The other ends of \(S _ { A }\) and \(S _ { B }\) are attached to fixed points \(A\) and \(B\) respectively, on a smooth horizontal table. The distance \(A B\) is \(6 \mathrm {~m} . P\) is released from rest at the point of the line segment \(A B\) which is 2.9 m from \(A\).
  5. For the subsequent motion, show that the total elastic potential energy of the strings is the same when \(A P = 2.1 \mathrm {~m}\) and when \(A P = 2.9 \mathrm {~m}\). Deduce that neither string becomes slack.
  6. Find, in terms of \(x\), an expression for the acceleration of \(P\) in the direction of \(A B\) when \(A P = ( 2.5 + x ) \mathrm { m }\).
  7. State, giving a reason, the type of motion of \(P\) and find the time taken between successive occasions when \(P\) is instantaneously at rest. For the instant 0.6 seconds after \(P\) is released, find
  8. the distance travelled by \(P\),
  9. the speed of \(P\).
OCR M3 Specimen Q2
7 marks Challenging +1.2
2 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{bfa6d51d-0992-4f43-adab-77ce893c1ca9-2_296_798_461_694} A sphere \(A\) of mass \(m\), moving on a horizontal surface, collides with another sphere \(B\) of mass \(2 m\), which is at rest on the surface. The spheres are smooth and uniform, and have equal radius. Immediately before the collision, \(A\) has velocity \(u\) at an angle \(\theta ^ { \circ }\) to the line of centres of the spheres (see diagram). Immediately after the collision, the spheres move in directions that are perpendicular to each other.
  1. Find the coefficient of restitution between the spheres.
  2. Given that the spheres have equal speeds after the collision, find \(\theta\).
Edexcel M4 2004 June Q2
11 marks Challenging +1.2
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{4eb9c38d-66f4-40ba-b7cf-2c2bd19ad087-2_491_826_947_623}
\end{figure} A smooth uniform sphere \(P\) is at rest on a smooth horizontal plane, when it is struck by an identical sphere \(Q\) moving on the plane. Immediately before the impact, the line of motion of the centre of \(Q\) is tangential to the sphere \(P\), as shown in Fig. 1. The direction of motion of \(Q\) is turned through \(30 ^ { \circ }\) by the impact. Find the coefficient of restitution between the spheres.
Edexcel M4 2012 June Q1
13 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. A smooth uniform sphere \(S\), of mass \(m\), is moving on a smooth horizontal plane when it collides obliquely with another smooth uniform sphere \(T\), of the same radius as \(S\) but of mass \(2 m\), which is at rest on the plane. Immediately before the collision the velocity of \(S\) makes an angle \(\alpha\), where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\), with the line joining the centres of the spheres. Immediately after the collision the speed of \(T\) is \(V\). The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(\frac { 3 } { 4 }\).
    1. Find, in terms of \(V\), the speed of \(S\)
      1. immediately before the collision,
      2. immediately after the collision.
    2. Find the angle through which the direction of motion of \(S\) is deflected as a result of the collision.
Edexcel M4 2013 June Q3
9 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. A smooth uniform sphere \(A\), of mass \(5 m\) and radius \(r\), is at rest on a smooth horizontal plane. A second smooth uniform sphere \(B\), of mass \(3 m\) and radius \(r\), is moving in a straight line on the plane with speed \(u \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and strikes \(A\). Immediately before the impact the direction of motion of \(B\) makes an angle of \(60 ^ { \circ }\) with the line of centres of the spheres. The direction of motion of \(B\) is turned through an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) by the impact.
Find
  1. the speed of \(B\) immediately after the impact,
  2. the coefficient of restitution between the spheres.
Edexcel M4 2016 June Q1
8 marks Challenging +1.2
1. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{b01b3a41-3ed1-4104-b20d-4cfb845df4a1-02_476_835_121_552} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A smooth uniform sphere \(A\) of mass \(m\) is moving on a smooth horizontal plane when it collides with a second smooth uniform sphere \(B\), which is at rest on the plane. The sphere \(B\) has mass \(4 m\) and the same radius as \(A\). Immediately before the collision the direction of motion of \(A\) makes an angle \(\alpha\) with the line of centres of the spheres, as shown in Figure 1. The direction of motion of \(A\) is turned through an angle of \(90 ^ { \circ }\) by the collision and the coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\) Find the value of \(\tan \alpha\).
1.
VIIIV SIHI NI IIIIM I I O N OAVIIV SIHI NI IIIHM ION OOVI4V SIHI NI JIIIM IONOO
Edexcel M4 Q3
10 marks Challenging +1.2
3. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{d57ea92a-4d6a-46bf-a6aa-bbd5083e8726-3_469_1163_1217_443}
\end{figure} A smooth uniform sphere \(A\), moving on a smooth horizontal table, collides with a second identical sphere \(B\) which is at rest on the table. When the spheres collide the line joining their centres makes an angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) with the direction of motion of \(A\), as shown in Fig. 1. The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(e\). The direction of motion of \(A\) is deflected through an angle \(\theta\) by the collision. Show that \(\tan \theta = \frac { ( 1 + e ) \sqrt { 3 } } { 5 - 3 e }\).
(10 marks)
OCR MEI Further Mechanics B AS 2021 November Q4
11 marks Challenging +1.8
4 Two small smooth discs, A of mass 0.5 kg and B of mass 0.4 kg , collide while sliding on a smooth horizontal plane. Immediately before the collision A and B are moving towards each other, A with speed \(0.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and \(B\) with speed \(0.6 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). Before the collision the direction of motion of A makes an angle \(\alpha\) with the line of centres, where \(\tan \alpha = 0.75\), and the direction of motion of B makes an angle of \(60 ^ { \circ }\) with the line of centres, as shown in Fig. 4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{37798594-8cb0-48aa-8401-090f09e25dff-4_506_938_687_244} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 4}
\end{figure} After the collision, one of the discs moves in a direction perpendicular to the line of centres, and the other disc moves in a direction making an angle \(\beta\) with the line of centres.
  1. Explain why the disc which moves perpendicular to the line of centres must be A .
  2. Determine the value of \(\beta\).
  3. Determine the kinetic energy lost in the collision.
  4. Determine the value of the coefficient of restitution between A and B .
Edexcel FM1 2022 June Q4
9 marks Challenging +1.2
4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{86a37170-046f-46e5-9c8c-06d5f98ca4fe-12_387_929_246_568} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} Two smooth uniform spheres, \(A\) and \(B\), have equal radii. The mass of \(A\) is \(3 m\) and the mass of \(B\) is \(4 m\). The spheres are moving on a smooth horizontal plane when they collide obliquely. Immediately before they collide, \(A\) is moving with speed \(3 u\) at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the line of centres of the spheres and \(B\) is moving with speed \(2 u\) at \(30 ^ { \circ }\) to the line of centres of the spheres. The direction of motion of \(B\) is turned through an angle of \(90 ^ { \circ }\) by the collision, as shown in Figure 3.
  1. Find the size of the angle through which the direction of motion of \(A\) is turned as a result of the collision.
  2. Find, in terms of \(m\) and \(u\), the magnitude of the impulse received by \(B\) in the collision.
Edexcel FM1 2024 June Q7
15 marks Challenging +1.8
7. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{58a33c19-77c6-4b08-ac09-ce6aa1e641df-20_501_703_251_680} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} A smooth uniform sphere \(A\) of mass \(m\) is moving with speed \(U\) on a smooth horizontal plane. The sphere \(A\) collides obliquely with a smooth uniform sphere \(B\) of mass \(3 m\) which is at rest on the plane. The two spheres have the same radius. Immediately before the collision, the direction of motion of \(A\) makes an angle \(\alpha\), where \(0 ^ { \circ } < \alpha < 90 ^ { \circ }\), with the line joining the centres of the spheres. Immediately after the collision, the direction of motion of \(A\) is perpendicular to its original direction, as shown in Figure 1. The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(e\).
  1. Show that the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision is $$\frac { 1 } { 4 } ( 1 + e ) U \cos \alpha$$
  2. Show that \(e > \frac { 1 } { 3 }\)
  3. Show that \(0 < \tan \alpha \leqslant \frac { 1 } { \sqrt { 2 } }\)
OCR Further Mechanics 2021 June Q3
12 marks Challenging +1.8
3 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. 3).
\begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{d6bf2fa5-2f29-4632-b27d-ed8c5a0379cf-03_479_1025_1466_248} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3}
\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.
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2016 Specimen Q10
12 marks Challenging +1.8
10 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a19fab61-da1c-4803-9dbc-38d618a0c58e-5_435_951_1528_557} A smooth sphere \(P\) of mass \(3 m\) is at rest on a smooth horizontal table. A second smooth sphere \(Q\) of mass \(m\) and the same radius as \(P\) is moving along the table towards \(P\) and strikes it obliquely (see diagram). After the collision, the directions of motion of the two spheres are perpendicular.
  1. Find the coefficient of restitution.
  2. Given that one-sixth of the original kinetic energy is lost as a result of the collision, find the angle between the initial direction of motion of \(Q\) and the line of centres.
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2019 Specimen Q11
5 marks Challenging +1.8
11 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{adf5bd3c-5408-421d-b7d5-dea2d0f0185b-6_438_951_255_559} A smooth sphere \(P\) of mass \(3 m\) is at rest on a smooth horizontal table. A second smooth sphere \(Q\) of mass \(m\) and the same radius as \(P\) is moving along the table towards \(P\) and strikes it obliquely (see diagram). After the collision, the directions of motion of the two spheres are perpendicular.
  1. Find the coefficient of restitution.
  2. Given that one-sixth of the original kinetic energy is lost as a result of the collision, find the angle between the initial direction of motion of \(Q\) and the line of centres.
OCR M3 2011 June Q5
12 marks Standard +0.8
\includegraphics{figure_5} Two uniform smooth identical spheres \(A\) and \(B\) are moving towards each other on a horizontal surface when they collide. Immediately before the collision \(A\) and \(B\) are moving with speeds \(u_A\) m s\(^{-1}\) and \(u_B\) m s\(^{-1}\) respectively, at acute angles \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\), respectively, to the line of centres. Immediately after the collision \(A\) and \(B\) are moving with speeds \(v_A\) m s\(^{-1}\) and \(v_B\) m s\(^{-1}\) respectively, at right angles and at acute angle \(\gamma\), respectively, to the line of centres (see diagram).
  1. Given that \(\sin \beta = 0.96\) and \(\frac{v_B}{u_B} = 1.2\), find the value of \(\sin \gamma\). [2]
  2. Given also that, before the collision, the component of \(A\)'s velocity parallel to the line of centres is \(2\) m s\(^{-1}\), find the values of \(u_B\) and \(v_B\). [5]
  3. Find the coefficient of restitution between the spheres. [3]
  4. Given that the kinetic energy of \(A\) immediately before the collision is \(6.5m\) J, where \(m\) kg is the mass of \(A\), find the value of \(v_A\). [2]
Edexcel M4 2014 June Q4
Challenging +1.8
A smooth uniform sphere \(S\) is moving on a smooth horizontal plane when it collides obliquely with an identical sphere \(T\) which is at rest on the plane. Immediately before the collision \(S\) is moving with speed \(U\) in a direction which makes an angle of \(60°\) with the line joining the centres of the spheres. The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is \(e\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(e\) and \(U\) where necessary,
    1. the speed and direction of motion of \(S\) immediately after the collision,
    2. the speed and direction of motion of \(T\) immediately after the collision.
    (12)
The angle through which the direction of motion of \(S\) is deflected is \(\delta°\).
  1. Find
    1. the value of \(e\) for which \(\delta\) takes the largest possible value,
    2. the value of \(\delta\) in this case.
    (3)