Question

A mass of is initially moving in the 2.5 m/s in the +x direction and collides in a perfectly elastically with a mass of moving in the -x direction at 7.6 m/s. After the collision, the mass that was moving in the +x direction originally is moving in the -x direction at 8.6 m/s. What is the velocity of the other mass after collision in m/s? Indicate -x direction, by including a negative sign.

Answer 1

Velocity of object 1 before the collision = V₁ = 2.5 m/s

Velocity of object 2 before the collision = V₂ = -7.6 m/s (negative as it is moving in the negative X direction)

Velocity of object 1 after the collision = V₃ = -8.6 m/s (negative as it is moving in the negative X direction)

Velocity of object 2 after the collision = V₄

The collision is perfectly elastic.

Coefficient of restitution = e = 1

10.1 = V₄ + 8.6

V₄ = 1.5 m/s (Positive value indicates its moving in the positve X direction)

Velocity of the other mass after the collision = 1.5 m/s