In an elastic collision, one ball has initial velocity v when it collides head-on with another, much less massive ball, initially at rest. The velocity of the second ball after the collision is approximately equal to
A) v
B) 2v
C) v/2
D) −v
E) none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In an elastic collision where a moving object collides head-on with a much less massive object initially at rest, the less massive object will move away with approximately twice the initial velocity of the more massive object, due to conservation of momentum and kinetic energy. Hence, the correct answer is 2v.

In an Elastic Collision, One Ball Has Initial Velocity V