Question

Mass 1 is moving in the positive x-direction and strikes a target mass that is at rest in a one-dimensional elastic collision. If mass 1 is equal to the target mass, what happens to mass 1 after the collision?

a) Mass 1 comes to rest.
b) Mass 1 continues moving in the positive x-direction.
c) Mass 1 moves in the negative x-direction.
d) Mass 1 reflects back in the same direction.

Answer 1

In an elastic collision between two objects with equal mass, if mass 1 is moving in the positive x-direction and strikes a target mass that is at rest, a) mass 1 will come to rest and the target mass will start moving with the same velocity as mass 1 in the positive x-direction.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an elastic collision between two objects with equal mass, the final velocities of both objects will be equal but opposite in direction. Since mass 1 is moving in the positive x-direction and strikes a target mass that is at rest, the target mass will start moving in the positive x-direction with the same velocity as mass 1, while mass 1 will come to rest. Therefore, option a) Mass 1 comes to rest as the correct answer.