Question

Two objects of mass 50 g and 60 g are travelling along the same line and direction with velocities of 2m/s and 1m/s respectively. They collide and after the collision the first object moves at a velocity of 1.67m/s. Determine the velocity of the second object

Answer 1

Explanation:

Mass of one of the objects, m1 = 100 g = 0.1 kg

Mass of the other object, m2 = 200 g = 0.2 kg

Velocity of m1 before collision, v1= 2 m/s

Velocity of m2 before collision, v2= 1 m/s

Velocity of m1 after collision, v3= 1.67 m/s

Velocity of m2 after collision= v4

According to the law of conservation of momentum:

Total momentum before collision = Total momentum after collision

Therefore, m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v3 + m2v4

2(0.1) + 1(0.2) = 1.67(0.1) + v4(0.2)

0.4 = 0.167 + 0.2v4

v4= 1.165 m/s

Hence, the velocity of the second object becomes 1.165 m/s after the collision.