Body A of mass 4m moving with speed u collides with another body B of mass 2 m, at rest. The collision is head on and elastic in nature. After the collision the fraction of energy lost by the colliding body A is :
- 59
- 49
- 89
- 19
Answer
(3) 89
Solution
For a one-dimensional elastic collision with B at rest, the velocity of A after collision is
vA = ( mA - mBmA + mB )u
= ( 4m - 2m4m + 2m )u = u3
Fraction of kinetic energy retained by A = 12mA vA2 12mA u2 = ( 13 )2 = 19
Fraction of energy lost by A = 1 - 19 = 89
Answer: (3)