A ball of mass m, moving with a speed 2v0, collide inelastically (e > 0) with an identical ball at rest. Show that
(a) For head-on collision, both the balls move forward.
(b) For a general collision, the angle between the two velocities of scattered balls is less than 90°.
(a) Let v1 and v2 are velocities of the two balls after the collision.
Now bv the Principle of conservation of linear momentum.
2mv0=mv1+mv2or 2v0=v1+v2and e=v2−v12v0⇒ v2=v1+2v0e∴ 2v1=2v0−2ev0∴ v1=v0(1−e)
Since e < 1 ⇒ v1, has the same sign as v0, therefore, the ball moves on after collision.
Step 2: Interpret the (b) part.
(b) Consider the diagram below for a general collision.
By the principle of conservation of linear momentum,
P=P1+P2
For inelastic collision, some KE is lost, hence
p22m>p212m+p222m
∴ p2>p21+p22
Thus, p, p1 and p2 are related as shown in the figure.
θ is acute (less than 90∘)(p2=p21+p22 would given θ=90∘)
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