Question

Two objects, X and Y, move toward one another and eventually collide. Object X has a mass of 2M and is moving at a speed of 2vo to the right before the collision. Object Y has a mass of M and is moving at a speed of vo to the left before the collision. Which of the following describes the magnitude of the forces F the objects exert on each other when they collide?

a. The force exerted by X on Y is 4F to the right, and the force exerted by Y on X is F to the left.
b. The force exerted by X on Y is 2F to the right, and the force exerted by Y on X is F to the left.
c. The force exerted by X on Y is F to the right, and the force exerted by Yon X is F to the left.
d. The force exerted by X on Y is F to the left, and the force exerted by Y on X is F to the right.

Answer 1

The force exerted by X on Y is F to the right, and the force exerted by Yon X is F to the left.

Step-by-step explanation:

There are two objects X and Y. Mass of object X is 2M, that is moving with a speed of
`2v_o` and that of object Y is M that is moving with a speed of
`v_o`.

When both of the objects collide, the magnitude of the forces F the objects exert on each other is equal to :

The force exerted by X on Y is F to the right, and the force exerted by Yon X is F to the left using Newton's third law of motion. Hence, the correct option is (c).