Elastic Collision Momentum Diagrams · CAP 2007 #25
Physics · mechanics
Problem
A system consists of two ideal spheres with equal diameters that move toward each other as shown.
[Figure: Two spheres approaching - left sphere mass m with velocity v, right sphere mass 2m with velocity -v]
The spheres undergo a glancing collision.
Sketch a vector diagram for the linear momentum of each of the spheres and for the centre of mass of the system before and after the perfectly elastic collision of the spheres.