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Two particles A and B, of mass 5m kg and 2m kg respectively, are moving in opposite directions along the same straight horizontal line - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 1 - 2012 - Paper 1

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Two particles A and B, of mass 5m kg and 2m kg respectively, are moving in opposite directions along the same straight horizontal line. The particles collide directl... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Two particles A and B, of mass 5m kg and 2m kg respectively, are moving in opposite directions along the same straight horizontal line - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 1 - 2012 - Paper 1

Step 1

Find the speed of B immediately after the collision.

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Answer

To find the speed of B immediately after the collision, we apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum. The formula for momentum before collision is:

extTotalInitialMomentum=extTotalFinalMomentum ext{Total Initial Momentum} = ext{Total Final Momentum}

Before the collision:

  • Momentum of A = mass × velocity = 5mimes3=15m5m imes 3 = 15m kg m/s (moving in one direction)
  • Momentum of B = mass × velocity = 2mimes4=8m2m imes -4 = -8m kg m/s (moving in the opposite direction)

Thus, the total initial momentum is: 15m8m=7m15m - 8m = 7m

After the collision:

  • Momentum of A = 5mimes0.8=4m5m imes 0.8 = 4m kg m/s
  • Let the speed of B after the collision be v:
  • Momentum of B = 2mimesv=2mv2m imes v = 2mv kg m/s

Thus, the total final momentum is: 4m+2mv4m + 2mv

Setting total initial momentum equal to total final momentum gives: 7m=4m+2mv7m = 4m + 2mv Solving for v, we have: 3m=2mv3m = 2mv v = rac{3m}{2m} = 1.5 ext{ m/s}

Thus, the speed of B immediately after the collision is 1.5 m/s.

Step 2

Find the value of m.

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Answer

To find m, we can use the impulse-momentum theorem. The impulse exerted on A by B is given as 3.3 N s. The impulse is defined as the change in momentum:

extImpulse=extChangeinMomentum ext{Impulse} = ext{Change in Momentum}

For particle A:

  • Initial momentum of A = 5mimes3=15m5m imes 3 = 15m kg m/s
  • Final momentum of A = 5mimes0.8=4m5m imes 0.8 = 4m kg m/s

Therefore, the change in momentum for A is: extChangeinMomentum=4m15m=11m ext{Change in Momentum} = 4m - 15m = -11m

Setting this equal to the impulse: 11m=3.3-11m = -3.3 Thus: m = rac{3.3}{11} = 0.3

Therefore, the value of m is 0.3.

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