A steel ball bearing of mass m₁ and speed of magnitude v₁ has a head-on elastic collision with a steel ball bearing of mass m₂ at rest.Rank the speed v₁ of m₁ relative to v₂,the magnitude of the speed of m₂,after the collision when
i.m₁ > m₂;ii) m₁ = m₂;and iii) m₁ < m₂.

Question

A steel ball bearing of mass m₁ and speed of magnitude v₁ has a head-on elastic collision with a steel ball bearing of mass m₂ at rest.Rank the speed v₁ of m₁ relative to v₂,the magnitude of the speed of m₂,after the collision when i.m₁ > m₂;ii)m₁ = m₂;and iii)m₁ < m₂. A)v₁ < v₂; v₁ < v₂; v₁ < v₂ B)v₁ < v₂; v₁ = v₂; v₁ > v₂ C)v₁ < v₂; v₁ > v₂; v₁ > v₂ D)v₁ > v₂; v₁ = v₂; v₁ < v₂ E)v₁ > v₂; v₁ > v₂; v₁ > v₂

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In an elastic collision, the total kinetic energy and momentum are conserved. When m1 > m2, m1 will have a smaller speed after the collision (v1 < v2) to conserve momentum. When m1 = m2, both objects will have the same speed after the collision (v1 = v2). When m1 < m2, m1 will have a larger speed after the collision (v1 > v2) to conserve momentum.

A Steel Ball Bearing of Mass M1 and Speed of Magnitude

A Steel Ball Bearing of Mass M₁ and Speed of Magnitude