Question

A 2.0 kg sphere with a velocity of 6.0 m/s collides head-on and elastically with a stationary 10 kg sphere

Answer 1

Question: A 2.0 kg sphere with a velocity of 6.0 m/s collides head-on and elastically with a stationary 10 kg sphere, What is thier velocities after collision.

Answer:

v = 6 m/s, v' = 0 m/s

Explanation:

From the question,

For Elastic collision,

mu+m'u' = mv+m'v'......................... Equation 1

Where m = mass of the first sphere, m' = mass of the second sphere, u = initial velocity of the first sphere, u' = initial velocity of the second sphere, v = final veolocity of the first sphere, v' = final velocity of the second sphere.

Also,

The relative velocity before collision = relative velocity after collision

u-u' = v-v'............................ Equation 2

Given:  m = 2 kg, m' = 10 kg, u = 6 m/s, u' = 0 m/s

Substitute into equation 1 and 2

2(6)+10(0) = 2v+10v'

2v+10v' = 12.............. Equation 3

6-0 = v-v'

v-v' = 6 ................... Equation 4

Solve equation 3 and 4 simultaneously.

v = 6+v'............. Equation 5

Substitute equation 5 into equation 3

2(6+v')+10v' = 12

12+2v'+10v' = 12

12v' = 12-12

v' = 0/12

v' = 0 m/s.

Also substitute the value of v' into equation 5

v = 6+0

v = 6 m/s