Engineering
Physics
Collision
Question

Particle A makes a perfectly elastic collision with another stationary particle B. They fly apart in opposite directions with equal velocities. The mass ratio will be

1/2

1/3

1/4

1/3

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Solution

In a perfectly elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. Let mass of A be m₁ and B be m₂ (stationary). After collision, velocities are equal and opposite: v and -v.

Conservation of momentum: mu1=mv+m(-v)

Conservation of kinetic energy: 12mu12=12mv2+12mv2

Solving these equations, we find the mass ratio mm=13.

Final answer: 1/3