Question

Two bodies of masses 5 kg and 3 kg moving in the same direction along the same straight line with velocities 5 m s^-1 and 3 m s^-1 respectively suffer one-dimensional elastic collision. Find their velocities after the collision.

Answer 1

Given: m₁ = 5kg, u₁ = 5 m s^-1, m₂ = 3kg, u₂ = 3 m s^-1

To find: velocities after collision (v₁ and v₂)

Calculation: From formula (i),

∴ v₁ = 3.5 m s^-1

From formula (ii),

∴ v₂ = 5.5 m s^-1

The velocities of the two bodies after collision are 3.5 m/s and 5.5 m/s.