Step-by-step explanation:
Let's assume:
m = mass of each marble = 15 g = 0.015 kg (converting from grams to kilograms)
v1_initial = initial velocity of the blue marble = 8 m/s (moving to the right)
v2_initial = initial velocity of the red marble = -4.0 m/s (moving at the opposite direction)
Using the conservation of momentum:
m * v1_initial + m * v2_initial = m * v1_final + m * v2_final
Using the conservation of kinetic energy:
(1/2) * m * v1_initial^2 + (1/2) * m * v2_initial^2 = (1/2) * m * v1_final^2 + (1/2) * m * v2_final^2
Solving these equations simultaneously, we get:
v1_final = (v1_initial * (m - m) + 2 * m * v2_initial) / (m + m)
v2_final = (v2_initial * (m - m) + 2 * m * v1_initial) / (m + m)
Substituting the given values:
v1_final = (8 * (0.015 - 0.015) + 2 * 0.015 * (-4.0)) / (0.015 + 0.015) ≈ -4.0 m/s
v2_final = (-4.0 * (0.015 - 0.015) + 2 * 0.015 * 8) / (0.015 + 0.015) ≈ 8.0 m/s
After the perfectly elastic collision, the blue marble will have a final velocity of approximately -4.0 m/s (moving to the left), and the red marble will have a final velocity of approximately 8.0 m/s (moving to the right).