Question

A 10kg sphere hits a stationary 8kg sphere. After the collision the 8kg sphere moves off in the positive direction at 4m/s. If the 10kg sphere was originally moving at 10m/s, what is its velocity after the collision?

Answer 1

M = mass of the first sphere = 10 kg

m = mass of the second sphere = 8 kg

V = initial velocity of the first sphere before collision = 10 m/s

v = initial velocity of the second sphere before collision = 0 m/s

V' = final velocity of the first sphere after collision = ?

v' = final velocity of the second sphere after collision = 4 m/s

using conservation of momentum

M V + m v = M V' + m v'

(10) (10) + (8) (0) = (10) V' + (8) (4)

100 = (10) V' + 32

(10) V' = 68

V' = 6.8 m/s