Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Linear momentum and its conservation

Linear momentum and its conservation — practice question

The diagram depicts two identical spheres X and Y. At the start, X is travelling at speed $v$ straight towards Y, while Y is at rest. The spheres undergo an elastic collision. What happens?

  • AX moves with speed $\tfrac{1}{2}v$ to the right; Y moves with speed $\tfrac{1}{2}v$ to the right
  • BX moves with speed $v$ to the left; Y remains stationary
  • CX moves with speed $\tfrac{1}{2}v$ to the left; Y moves with speed $\tfrac{1}{2}v$ to the right
  • DX stops; Y moves with speed $v$ to the right

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