Essential University Physics: Volume 1 (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-134-98855-8
ISBN 13: 978-0-13498-855-9

Chapter 9 - Exercises and Problems - Page 171: 31

Answer

The slower one is now moving $11\ Mm/s$ while the faster one is now moving $6.9 \ Mm/s$.

Work Step by Step

We know the following equation for elastic collisions: $v_{1f}=\frac{m_1-m_2}{m_1+m_2}v_{1i}+\frac{2m_2}{m_1+m_2}v_{2i}$ Since their masses are equal, it follows: $v_{1f}=v_{2i}$ Thus, their velocities flip, so the slower one is now moving $11\ Mm/s$ while the faster one is now moving $6.9 \ Mm/s$. (They are moving in opposite directions.)
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