M2 June 2012 Q2

EdexcelOld spec11 marksCollisions: 2 Spheres Direct

2. A particle \(P\) of mass \(3m\) is moving with speed \(2u\) in a straight line on a smooth horizontal plane. The particle \(P\) collides directly with a particle \(Q\) of mass \(4m\) moving on the plane with speed \(u\) in the opposite direction to \(P\). The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\) is \(e\).

(a) Find the speed of \(Q\) immediately after the collision. (6)

Given that the direction of motion of \(P\) is reversed by the collision,

(b) find the range of possible values of \(e\). (5)