Question

A 2 kg basketball is thrown towards a stationary 1.34 kg kickball with a velocity of 2.28 m/s. After impact the kickball moves forward at a rate of 1.5 m/s. What is the velocity of the basketball after the collision?

Answer 1

Given data,

`\begin{gathered} m_1=2kg \\ m_2=1.34kg \\ u_1=2.28\text{ m/s} \\ u_2=0\text{ m/s (due to stationary)} \end{gathered}`

From the conservation of momentum.

`m_1u_1+m_2u_2=m_1v_1+m_2v_2`

Given the impact, the kickball moves forward at a rate of 1.5 m/s.

`\begin{gathered} 2kg*2.28\text{ m/s +1.34 }kg*0\text{ m/s = 2 }kg* v_1+1.34kg*1.5_{} \\ 4.56+0=2v_1+2.01 \\ 2v_1=2.55 \\ v_1=1.275\text{ m/s} \end{gathered}`

Thus, the velocity of the basketball after the collision is 1.275 m/s.