Question Details

A ball moving with velocity of 9m / s collides with another similar stationary ball. After the collision both the balls move in directions making an angle of 30° with the initial direction. After the collision their speed will be

Options

A

2.6 m/s

B

5.2 m/s

C

0.52 m/s

D

52 m/s

Correct Answer :

5.2 m/s

Solution :

Let the mass of the first ball be m and its initial velocity be u=9 m/s along the x-axis.
The second similar ball has mass m and is initially stationary (v=0).

After the collision, both balls move in directions making an angle of 30° with the initial direction (one above the x-axis and one below the x-axis, to conserve momentum perpendicular to the initial line of motion).
Let their speeds after the collision be v1 and v2. By symmetry, since they both deflect by the same angle and have equal masses, their speeds after collision will be equal: v1=v2=v.

Using the law of conservation of linear momentum along the initial direction of motion (x-axis):
mu=mvcos(30°)+mvcos(30°)

Canceling the mass m from both sides:
u=2vcos(30°)

Substitute u=9 m/s and cos(30°)=32:
9=2v(32)

This simplifies to:
9=3v

Solving for v:
v=93=33 m/s

Using the value 31.732:
v3×1.732=5.196 m/s5.2 m/s

Therefore, the speed of each ball after the collision is approximately 5.2 m/s.

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