Two particles A and B has the same mass and are being kept on a rough horizontal table "d" distance apart.B is kept still and A is given a velocity of u towards B.After the collision,if A comes to its previous point show that,

u^2 = 2agd[1+(1/e^2)]

a- coefficient of friction

I took the velocities of A and B after collision as,w towards A's previous point and v away from B's previous point.

Then I got eu=v+w

when considering the system as it have no unbalanced forces,applying conservation of momentum, I got,

mu=mv-mw
u=v-w

and w =1/2[u(e-1)]

then applying law of conservation of energy,as the lowering of kinetic energy is used to do work against frictional forces,
1/2m(w^2)=aR(R=normal force)

R=mg

1/2m*(1/4)*[u^2(e-1)^2)]=amg

Then I am getting,
u^2=8agd/(e-1)^2 ,which isn't the result we have to show :-(

3 answers

*1/2m(w^2)=aRd
Sorry, I do not think that A could make it back to the starting point. (even if no friction you would have to put external forces on)
But they have given it like that in the question, that A reaches the previous point.