Answer:
vāf = -6.2 cm/s
Explanation:
- Assuming no external forces acting during the collision, total momentum must be conserved, as follows:
Ā Ā Ā Ā [tex]m_{1} *v_{1o} = m_{1}* v_{1f} + m_{2}* v_{2f}[/tex]
- As the collision is elastic, total kinetic energy must be conserved also:
Ā Ā Ā Ā [tex]\frac{1}{2}*m_{1}*v_{1o}^{2} = \frac{1}{2}*m_{1}*v_{1f} ^{2} + \frac{1}2}*m_{2}*v_{2f}^{2}[/tex]
- From the givens, we know that mā = 2* mā
- Replacing in the above equations, rearranging both sides and simplifying, we can find the following expression for vāf:
Ā Ā Ā Ā [tex]v_{1f} = \frac{-m_{1} }{3*m_{1}} *v_{1o} =\frac{-v_{1o}}{3} = -\frac{18.6 cm/s}{3} = -6.2 cm/s[/tex]
- vāf = -6.2 cm/s (which means that it bounces back after the collision).
