M1 January 2010 Q1
1. A particle \(A\) of mass 2 kg is moving along a straight horizontal line with speed 12 m s\(^{-1}\). Another particle \(B\) of mass \(m\) kg is moving along the same straight line, in the opposite direction to \(A\), with speed 8 m s\(^{-1}\). The particles collide. The direction of motion of \(A\) is unchanged by the collision. Immediately after the collision, \(A\) is moving with speed 3 m s\(^{-1}\) and \(B\) is moving with speed 4 m s\(^{-1}\). Find
(a) the magnitude of the impulse exerted by \(B\) on \(A\) in the collision, (2)
(b) the value of \(m\). (4)
| Scheme | Marks |
|---|---|
| \(I = 2 \times 12 - 2 \times 3 = 18\ \ (\text{N s})\) | M1 A1 |
| (2) |
| Scheme | Marks |
|---|---|
| LM \(2 \times 12 - 8m = 2 \times 3 + 4m\) | M1 A1 |
| Solving to \(m = 1.5\) | DM1 A1 |
| (4) | |
| (6 marks) |
Alternative to (b)
| \(I = m\left(4 - (-8)\right) = 18\) | M1 A1 |
| Solving to \(m = 1.5\) | DM1 A1 |