Question

An object of mass M,moving with velocity V,makes a head on elastic collision with abody of mass m,iniriaaly at rest.After yhe collision,the velocity of object of mass M,along its original direction,equals V/n. Obtain expression for ratio m/M

Answer 1

Explanation :

It is given that,

The two objects M is moving with velocity V. It makes a head on elastic collision with a body of mass m which is initially at rest. After the collision, the velocity of object of mass M, along its original direction is equal to V/n.

In elastic collision, the total momentum remains conserved.

So,

$MV+0=M\dfrac{V}{n}+m\dfrac{V}{n}$

$MV-M\dfrac{V}{n}=m\dfrac{V}{n}$

$MV[1-\dfrac{1}{n}]=\dfrac{mV}{n}$

$\dfrac{m}{M}=(n-1)$

Hence, this is the required solution.