Question

A 5 kg object at 10 m/s towards the right makes an elastic collision with a 5 kg object at 8 m/s. After collision the first object goes to the left at 8 m/s. Find the velocity of the second object after collision.

Answer 1

The velocity of the second object after the collision is 10 m/s. In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. To solve this problem, we can start by using the law of conservation of momentum.

Step-by-step explanation:

Initial momentum of first object + Initial momentum of second object = Final momentum of first object + Final momentum of second object

Using the given information:

• Mass of first object = 5 kg
• Initial velocity of first object = 10 m/s towards the right
• Mass of second object = 5 kg
• Initial velocity of second object = 8 m/s
• Final velocity of first object = 8 m/s towards the left

Let's denote the final velocity of the second object as v.

The equation becomes:

5 kg * 10 m/s + 5 kg * 8 m/s

= 5 kg * 8 m/s + 5 kg * v

Simplifying, we get:

50 kg·m/s + 40 kg·m/s = 40 kg·m/s + 5 kg·v

Combining like terms:

90 kg·m/s = 40 kg·m/s + 5 kg·v

Subtracting 40 kg·m/s from both sides:

50 kg·m/s = 5 kg·v

Dividing both sides by 5 kg:

v = 10 m/s

Therefore, the velocity of the second object after the collision is 10 m/s.