Question

Imagine two carts of equal mass (m = 1.0 kg) collide. If cart one is initially moving at 10 m/s and the other cart is stationary, calculate the final speed of each mass after they have a 100% elastic collision. Please show all work!

Answer 1

Solution) m1 = m2 = m = 1 kg

u1 = 10 m/s

u2 = 0 ( rest )

V1 = ?

V2 = ?

Final velocity of cart 1 , V1

V1 = [(m1 - m2)/(m1+m2)](u1) + [((2)(m2))/(m1+m2)](u2)

V1 = [(1 - 1)/(1 +1)](10) + [(2×1)/(1+1)](0)

V1 = 0 m/s

Final velocity of Car2 , V2

V2 = [((2)(m1))/(m1+m2)](u1) - [(m1 - m2)/(m1+m2)](u2)

V2 = [(2×1)/(1+1)](10) + [(1-1)/(1+1)](0)

V2 = 10 m/s

So V1 = 0 m/s

V2 = 10 m/s

So in elastic collision when masses are equal then after collision , their final are mutually interchanged .