PhysicsRankPREVIEWTry a problem

THE PRACTICE STUDIO

Go slowly. Ask why. Make it yours.

PRACTICE · MEMBERSIntermediate · Single correct

PRACTICE / Elastic collisions

An elastic collision exchanges velocities

A 1 kg cart moving at +4 m/s collides elastically in one dimension with an identical stationary cart.

Find the initially stationary cart’s final velocity.

Organize the givens & assumptions
  • m₁ = m₂ = 1 kg
  • u₁ = +4 m/s
  • u₂ = 0

One-dimensional perfectly elastic impact between equal masses; negligible external impulse; second cart initially stationary.

  1. A2 m s−12\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}
  2. B0 m s−10\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}
  3. C8 m s−18\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}
  4. D4 m s−14\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}

Try it on paper first. Free sample problems in every collection include the complete reasoning: find one in this collection →