Question
A particle of mass and initial velocity strikes a stationary
particle of mass . The collision is elastic. It is observed that after the collision the particles have equal and
opposite velocities: Find (a) the ratio ; (b) the velocity of the CM (before and after the collision); (c)
the total KE of the two particles in the CM frame expressed as a fraction of ; (d) the final KE of in
the CM frame.
particle of mass . The collision is elastic. It is observed that after the collision the particles have equal and
opposite velocities: Find (a) the ratio ; (b) the velocity of the CM (before and after the collision); (c)
the total KE of the two particles in the CM frame expressed as a fraction of ; (d) the final KE of in
the CM frame.