Inelastic Collision - Mass Determination · PhysicsBowl 2015 #27
Physics · mechanics
Problem
On a frictionless horizontal surface, two bodies make a head-on collision and stick together. Body 1 has a mass of 3.50 kg and initially moves to the right with speed 7.0 sm. Body 2 initially is at rest. A graph of the force exerted onto Body 2 from Body 1 during the collision is shown.
[Figure: Force vs time graph showing collision forces]
What is the mass of Body 2?
(A) 2.81 kg
(B) 3.50 kg
(C) 4.59 kg
(D) 5.53 kg
(E) 7.50 kg