Created by T.

Madas

OBLIQUE
COLLISIONS

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 1 (**)
A smooth sphere B of mass 4m is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. Another
sphere A is moving with speed u in a straight line, on the same surface. There is a
collision between the two spheres and L is the straight line joining the centres of the
two spheres at the moment of impact.

The path of A immediately before the collision makes an angle of θ with L ,

0° < θ < 90° and immediately after the collision the two spheres move at right angles
to one another.

Determine the value of the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres.

e=1
4

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 2 (**)
A particle of mass 2 kg is moving on a smooth horizontal plane with speed 1.4 ms −1
when it receives an impulse of magnitude I Ns , in a direction perpendicular to its
direction of motion. The speed of the particle, after it receives I , changes to 5 ms −1 .

a) Determine the value of I .

The particle was moving in a direction parallel to a smooth vertical wall in the time
period before it received I . After it received I the particle hits the wall and rebounds
with speed 1.75 ms −1 .

b) Calculate the coefficient of restitution between the particle and the wall.

I = 9.6 , e = 7
32

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 3 (**)

15ms −1

4 kg 1 kg
θ
L
θ
A B

20 ms −1

Two uniform smooth spheres A and B , of equal radius, are moving in opposite
directions on a smooth horizontal surface when they collide obliquely . The respective
masses of A and B are 4 kg and 1 kg .

Immediately before the collision the respective speeds of A and B are 20 ms −1 and
15 ms −1 . On collision the line through the centres of the two spheres is L , and the
angle between the speed of each sphere and L is θ , where tan θ = 4 .
3

Given that the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres is 4 , determine the
21
speed of A and the speed of B , after the collision.

VA ≈ 17.46 ms −1 , VB ≈ 16.28 ms −1

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Question 4 (**)

A smooth plane is inclined at an angle θ to the horizontal. A small smooth ball falls
vertically and hits the plane and immediately after the impact the direction of the ball
is horizontal, as shown in the figure above.

Given the coefficient of restitution between the plane and the ball is 0.25 , calculate
an approximate value of θ .

θ ≈ 18.43°

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Question 5 (**)
A smooth uniform sphere is moving on a smooth horizontal surface when it collides
with a smooth vertical wall. Before the impact the direction of motion of the sphere
makes an angle of 60° with the wall. After the impact the direction of motion of the
sphere makes an angle of 30° with the wall.

Determine the value of the coefficient of restitution between the sphere and the wall.

e=1
3

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 6 (**)

A B
2 kg 3 kg
L
60° 60°
u 2u

Two smooth spheres, A and B , of equal radius and respective masses 2 kg and
3 kg , are moving on a smooth horizontal plane when they collide obliquely.

When A and B collide the straight line through their centres is denoted by L .

The speeds of A and B before their collision are u and 2u , respectively and the
direction of both speeds is at an angle 60° to L , as shown in the figure above.

Given that after the collision B is moving at right angles to L , find the value of the
coefficient of restitution between A and B .

M456-D , e = 2
3

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 7 (**+)
A smooth sphere B is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. An identical sphere A
is moving with speed u in a straight line, on the same surface. There is a collision
between the two spheres and L is the straight line joining the centres of the two
spheres at the moment of impact.

π
The path of A immediately before the collision makes an angle of with L , and
3
π
immediately after the collision makes an angle of β with L , where 0 < β < .
2

Given that of the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres is 0.8 , show that

tan β = 10 3 .

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 8 (**+)
A smooth sphere B of mass 3m is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. Another
smooth sphere A of mass 2m and of equal radius as that of B is moving with speed
u in a straight line. There is a collision between the two spheres.

Immediately before the collision the path of A makes an angle θ with the line of the
centres of the spheres, where tan θ = 4 .
3

As a result of the impact, the direction of motion of A is turned through an angle ϕ ,

where tan ϕ = 3 .
4

a) Determine the speed of each of the spheres after the collision.

b) Find the value of the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres.

VA = 4 u , VB = 2 u , e = 2
5 5 3

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Question 9 (**+)

2u
m 4m
ψ
L
θ
A B

5u

Two smooth uniform spheres A and B have equal radii, and their respective masses
are m and 4m . The spheres are moving on a smooth horizontal plane when they
collide obliquely, with their centres at impact defining the straight line L , as shown in
the figure above.

Immediately before the collision, A is moving with speed 5u at an acute angle θ to

L and B is moving with speed 2u at an acute angle ψ to L .

It is further given that cos θ = 0.2 , cosψ = 0.75 and the coefficient of restitution
between the two spheres is 0.5 .

a) Determine, in terms of m and u , the magnitude of the impulse on A due to

the collision.

b) Express the kinetic energy gained by A in the collision, as a percentage of its

initial kinetic energy.

FM1-M , I = 3mu , 12%

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 10 (**+)
A smooth uniform sphere is moving with speed 30 ms −1 on a smooth horizontal
surface, when it collides with a smooth vertical wall. After the impact the velocity of
the sphere makes an angle θ with the wall, where tan θ = 0.75 .

Given that the coefficient of restitution between the sphere and the wall is 1 ,
2
determine the speed of the sphere after the collision.

v ≈ 20.8 ms −1

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Question 11 (**+)

wall

u PLAN VIEW

A ball is moving on a smooth horizontal surface, bouncing off a smooth vertical wall,
where the coefficient of restitution between the wall and the ball is e .

The speed of the ball before hitting the wall is u ms −1 and makes an acute angle θ
with the wall. After the collision with wall the path of the ball turns by a right angle as
shown in the figure above.

a) Show clearly that

1
tan θ = .
e

b) Hence determine the range of possible values of θ .

FM1-P , 45° ≤ θ < 90°

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Question 12 (**+)

wall

u PLAN VIEW

A ball is moving on a smooth horizontal surface, bouncing off a smooth vertical wall,
where the coefficient of restitution between the wall and the ball is 3 .
4

The speed of the ball before hitting the wall is u ms −1 and makes an acute angle θ
with the wall. After the collision with wall the path of the ball turns by a right angle as
shown in the figure above.

Find the speed of the ball in terms of u , and the value of tan θ .

2
v = 1 3 u , tan θ =
2 3

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Question 13 (***)

j 6i − 2 j −2i − 4 j

The vectors i and j are horizontal unit vectors perpendicular to each other.

Two smooth spheres, A and B , of equal radius and respective masses 4 kg and
2 kg , are moving on a smooth horizontal plane when they collide obliquely.

When A and B collide the straight line through their centres is parallel to the unit
vector i .

The velocities of A and B before their collision are ( 6i − 2 j) ms −1 and

( −2i − 4 j) ms−1 , respectively.

As a result of the collision, the direction of motion of B is changed through 90° , as

shown in the figure above.

Determine the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres.

e=7
8

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 14 (***)
A

C θ
v

45° B

30°

The point B lies on a smooth plane inclined at 30° to the horizontal. A particle of
mass 1 kg is dropped from a point A which lies 10 m vertically above B .
7

The particle rebounds from the plane in the direction BC with speed v ms −1 , at an
angle of 45° to the plane. The points A , B and C lie in a vertical plane which
includes the line of greatest slope of the plane.

The impulse exerted by the plane on the particle has magnitude I Ns , and is inclined
at an angle θ to AB .

a) Justify why θ = 30° .

b) Determine the exact value of v and the exact value of I .

v = 7 2 , I = 1+ 3

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Question 15 (***)

m 3m
θ
L
θ
A B

4u

Two smooth uniform spheres A and B with equal radii have masses m and 3m
respectively. The spheres are moving in opposite directions on a smooth horizontal
surface, where they collide obliquely.

Immediately before the collision, A has speed 4u and its direction of motion forms
an angle θ to the straight line L ,joining the centres of the spheres on impact.

Immediately before the collision B has speed u with its direction of motion also
forming an angle θ to L , as shown in the figure above.

Immediately after the collision, the speed of A is twice the speed of B .

Given further that the coefficient of restitution between A and B is 0.25 , find the
value of θ .

FM1-N , θ ≈ 14.4°

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Question 16 (***)
The vectors i and j are horizontal unit vectors perpendicular to each other.

Two smooth uniform spheres A and B with equal radii are moving on a smooth
horizontal surface.

The mass of A is 2 kg and the mass of B is 3 kg .

The velocity of A is ( 2i + j) ms −1 and the velocity of B is ( −i − j) ms −1 .

The spheres collide when the line joining their centres is parallel to j .

Given further that the coefficient of restitution between A and B is 0.5 , find kinetic
energy lost as a result of the collision.

FM1-Q , 1.8 J

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 17 (***)

5 ms−1
10 ms−1

θ ϕ L

A 2 kg 3 kg B

Two smooth spheres, A and B , of equal radius and respective masses 2 kg and 3 kg ,
are moving on a smooth horizontal plane when they collide obliquely.

The speeds of A and B before their collision are 10 ms −1 and 5 ms −1 respectively.

When A and B collide the straight line through their centres is denoted by L .

The direction of the speed of A before the collision is at an acute angle θ to L ,

where tan θ = 3 .
4

The direction of the speed of B before the collision is at an acute angle ϕ to L ,

where tan ϕ = 4 , as shown in the figure above.
3

The coefficient of restitution between A and B is 1 .

2

Calculate the speed of A and the speed of B , after the collision.

M456-B , VA = 48.25 ≈ 6.95 ms −1 , VB = 52 ≈ 7.21 ms −1

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 18 (***+)
A smooth sphere B of mass 4m is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. Another
sphere A , of mass m , is moving with speed u in a straight line, on the same surface.

There is a collision between the two spheres where L is the straight line joining the
centres of the two spheres at the moment of impact.

The direction of motion of A immediately before the collision makes an angle of

30° with L . As a result of the collision, the direction of motion of A is turned
through a right angle.

Determine the value of the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres.

FM1-O , e = 2
3

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 19 (***+)
A small smooth sphere B of mass m is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface.

Another smooth sphere A of mass 2m and of equal radius as that of B is moving

with speed u in a straight line, on the same surface.

There is a collision between the two spheres and L is the straight line joining the
centres of the two spheres at the moment of impact.

The path of A immediately before the collision makes an angle of 30° with L .

a) Determine simplified expressions for the speeds of A and B , in terms of u

and e , where e is the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres.

b) Given further that 20% of the kinetic energy of the system is lost due to the
impact, show that e2 = 1 .
5

1 e2 − 4e + 7 , V = u (1 + e )
M456-C , VA = u
12 ( ) B
3

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 20 (***+)
A smooth uniform sphere P is moving on a smooth horizontal plane when it collides
obliquely with an identical sphere Q which is at rest on the plane.

Immediately before the collision P is moving with speed u ms −1 in a direction which

makes an angle of 60° with the line joining the centres of the spheres.

The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is 7 − 4 3 .

a) Show clearly that after the collision P is moving at an angle of 75° with the
line joining the centres of the spheres.

After the collision the respective speeds of P and Q are U ms −1 and V ms −1 .

( )
It is further given that u = 6 2 + 2 6 ms −1 .

b) Find the value of U .

c) Show further that uV = 4U .

FM1-R , U = 12

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 21 (***+)

A B

3 ms−1
L
θ

6ms −1

Two uniform smooth spheres A and B , of equal radius and equal masses, are moving
in opposite directions on a smooth horizontal surface when they collide obliquely.

The straight line through the centres of A and B just before the collide is denoted by
L and the coefficient of restitution between A and B is e .

Just before the collision the speed of A is 3 ms −1 along L and the corresponding
speed of B is 6 ms −1 at an angle 30° to L , as shown in the figure above.

After the collision, the direction of motion of B is at right angles to its original
direction of motion.

Show that e = 3 − k 3 , where k is a rational constant to be found.

e = 3− 4 3
3

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Question 22 (***+)
A small smooth sphere B of mass 2m is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface.

Another small smooth sphere A , of mass m and radius equal to that of B , is moving
with speed u in a straight line, on the same surface.

There is a collision between the two spheres and L is the straight line joining the
centres of the two spheres at the moment of impact. The path of A immediately
before the collision makes an angle of θ with L .

The speed of A after the collision is 1 u .

3

Given further that the coefficient of restitution between A and B is 2 show that
3

sin 2 θ = 1 .
10

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 23 (***+)
A small smooth sphere B is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. An identical
sphere A is moving with speed u in a straight line, on the same surface. There is a
collision between the two spheres and L is the straight line joining the centres of the
two spheres at the moment of impact. The path of A immediately before the collision
makes an angle of α with L , where tan α = 0.75 .

a) Given that the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres is 1

8
determine simplified expressions for the speeds of A and B , in terms of u .

The path of A is deflected by an angle θ .

( )
b) Show that θ = arctan 43 .
76

u 9u
VA = 193 , VB =
20 20

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Question 24 (***+)
A B
4 kg m kg 3.2 ms −1
L
θ

8.5ms −1

Two uniform smooth spheres A and B , of equal radius, have respective masses of
4 kg and m kg , are moving in opposite directions on a smooth horizontal surface
when they collide obliquely.

The straight line through the centres of A and B , just before the collide is denoted by
L and the coefficient of restitution between A and B is e .

Immediately before the collision the speed of A is 8.5 ms −1 at an angle θ to L ,

where tan θ = 8 . The corresponding speed of B is 3.2 ms −1 along L , as shown in
15
the figure above.

As a result of the impact, B rebounds with speed 2 ms −1 and A loses 52 J of kinetic

energy.

a) Calculate the speed of A after the collision.

b) Determine the angle through by which the motion of A is deflected.

c) Find the value of m and the value of e .

speed ≈ 6.80 ms −1 , δ ≈ 115.9° , m = 10 kg , e ≈ 0.70

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Question 25 (***+)
A small smooth ball of mass m is falling vertically when it strikes a fixed smooth
plane which is inclined at an angle θ to the horizontal, where θ > 30° .

Immediately before striking the plane the ball has speed u .

Immediately after striking the plane the ball moves in a direction which makes an
angle of 30° with the plane.

The coefficient of restitution between the ball and the plane is e .

Determine, in terms of m , u and e , the magnitude of the impulse exerted by the

plane on the ball.

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 26 (***+)

C
v

105°
θ°
A B

The figure above shows the plan view of part of a smooth horizontal floor, where AB
and BC are smooth vertical walls. The angle between AB and BC is 105° .

A ball is projected along the floor towards AB with speed u on a path at an angle of
θ ° to AB , where cos θ = 0.25 . The ball hits AB , then hits BC and finally rebounds
from BC with speed v .

5
The coefficient of restitution between the ball and each wall is .
15

By modelling the ball as a particle, show that

345
v= u.
90

proof

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Question 27 (***+)

D C A
1.35 0.55
v 1.32
u
1.80
B

all measurements are in metres

The figure above shows the plan of a rectangular smooth surface of a pool table
whose cushions are also smooth. A ball of mass 0.13 kg is projected from B with
constant speed u ms −1 and hits the cushion at C . It rebounds from C with constant
speed v ms −1 and travels directly to the corner pocket at P .

The respective lengths of AB , AC , CD and DP are 1.32 m , 0.55 m , 1.35 m and

1.80 m , as shown in the figure. The ball is modelled as a particle.

a) Determine the coefficient of restitution between the ball and the cushion.

It is given that u = 9 and the total time the ball takes to travel from B to P is 0.7 s .

b) Calculate the magnitude of the impulse exerted by the cushion on the ball.

c) Find, correct to two decimal places, the magnitude of the force exerted by
the cushion on the ball.

e = 5 , I = 1.68 Ns , F = 189 ≈ 11.12 N

9 17

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Question 28 (***+)

A B

α L

A uniform smooth sphere B is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. An identical

sphere A moving with speed u on the same surface collides with B obliquely.

On collision the line through the centres of the two spheres is L , and the angle
between u and L on impact is α , as shown in the figure above.

Given that after the collision the acute angle between the path of A and L is θ ,
show that

2 tan α
tan θ = ,
1− e

where e is the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres.

proof

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Question 29 (***+)

60°
B C

The figure above shows the path of a particle released from rest and moving down a
line of greatest slope of a smooth plane inclined at 60° to the horizontal.

The particle is released from the point A on the plane and strikes a smooth horizontal
plane at the point B , where AB = a .

The particle rebounds off the horizontal plane at B and first strikes the horizontal
plane at the point C .

Given that the coefficient of restitution between the particle and horizontal plane is
1 3
, show that BC = a.
3 2

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 30 (***+)

A B

L
θ

A smooth sphere A travelling along a smooth horizontal surface collides with an

identical sphere B , which lies at rest on the same surface. At the moment of impact
the direction of motion of A makes an angle θ with the straight line L , which joins
the centres of the sphere at the moment of impact.

The coefficient of restitution between A and B is e .

The motion of A is deflected as a result of the impact by an angle δ .

Show that

tan δ =
(1 + e ) tan θ .
1 − e + 2 tan 2 θ

proof

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Question 31 (***+)

B
30° u

A
2u

30°

Two identical smooth uniform spheres A and B are moving in opposite directions on
a smooth horizontal surface, where they collide obliquely.

Immediately before the collision, A has speed 2u with its direction of motion at an
angle of 30° to the straight line L joining the centres of the spheres on impact, and
B has speed u with its direction of motion also at an angle of 30° to L , as shown in
the figure above.

Given further that the direction of motion of A turns through a right angle as a result
of the collision determine the coefficient of restitution between A and B .

e=7
9

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Question 32 (****)
Two identical small smooth uniform spheres, A and B are travelling towards each
other in parallel but opposite directions, on a smooth horizontal surface.

The speed of A is 2u and the speed of B is u .

There is a collision between the two spheres and L is the straight line joining the
centres of the two spheres at the moment of impact. The acute angle θ is the angle
that L with the original direction of the spheres.

After the collision, B moves at right angles to its original direction of motion.

Show that

1
< tan θ < 2 .
2

proof

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Question 33 (****)
A ball is moving on a smooth horizontal plane when it collides obliquely with a
smooth plane vertical wall.

The coefficient of restitution between the ball and the wall is 1 .

4

The speed of the ball immediately after the collision is half the speed of the ball
immediately before the collision.

By modelling the ball as a particle, calculate the angle through which the path of the
ball is deflected by the collision.

δ = 90°

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Question 34 (****)
A particle of mass 0.5 kg is moving on a smooth horizontal plane with constant speed
in a direction parallel to a long straight wall.

The particle receives an impulse of 2 Ns in a direction perpendicular to its motion.

Consequently, the particle's speed changes to 5 ms −1 and a collision with wall

follows.

The speed of the particle after its collision with the wall is 3 2 ms −1 .

Assuming that the contact between the particle and the wall is smooth, determine the
coefficient of restitution between the particle and the wall.

M456-F , e = 3
4

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Question 35 (****)

A B
θ
L

A uniform smooth sphere B of mass km , k > 0 , is at rest on a smooth horizontal

surface. Another sphere A , of equal radius as that of B but of mass m , is moving on
the same surface. The two spheres collide obliquely. On collision the line through the
centres of the two spheres is L . The angle between the direction of motion of A and
L on impact is θ , as shown in the figure above.

As a result of the collision the direction of motion of A is deflected through a right

angle

Determine a simplified expression for tan 2 θ , in terms of k and e , where e is the

coefficient of restitution between A and B , and hence deduce k > 1

ek − 1
tan 2 θ =
k +1

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Question 36 (****)

A B

L β
α

u 2m m

A small smooth sphere B of mass m is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface.

Another smooth sphere A of mass 2m and of equal radius as that of B is moving
with speed u in a straight line, on the same surface. There is a collision between the
two spheres and L is the straight line joining the centres of the two spheres at the
moment of impact. The direction of motion of A immediately before and
immediately after the collision makes acute angles α and β with L , as shown in the
figure above.

Given that α = arctan 1 and β = arctan 2 find the value of the coefficient of
2
restitution between A and B , and hence determine the speed of B in terms of u .

e=2
3

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Question 37 (****)

A ( 2m )

4u
a
6a
5

3u a
B ( 3m )

Two smooth spheres A and B , of equal radii, have respective masses of 2m kg and
3m kg , and are moving on a smooth horizontal surface when they collide.

Leading up to the collision, the centres of the two spheres are tracing parallel paths,
6 a apart, where the respective speeds of A and B are 4u and 3u , as shown in the
5
figure above.

The coefficient of restitution between the two spheres is 1

7

Show that the momentum exchanged during the collision has magnitude 192 mu .
25

proof

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 38 (****)

A B

L β
α

u 3m m

A small smooth sphere B of mass m is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface.

Another smooth sphere A of mass 3m and of equal radius as that of B is moving
with speed u in a straight line, on the same surface. There is a collision between the
two spheres and L is the straight line joining the centres of the two spheres at the
moment of impact. The direction of motion of A immediately before and
immediately after the collision makes acute angles α and β with L , as shown in the
figure above.

a) Given that the coefficient of restitution between A and B is 1 , show that

2

5 tan β = 8 tan α .

b) Calculate, as α varies, the maximum angle of deflection of A caused by the

impact.

( β − α )max ≈ 13.3°

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Question 39 (****+)
In this question i and j are perpendicular unit vectors in a horizontal plane.

A smooth sphere is moving on a smooth horizontal surface when it collides with a

smooth vertical wall, which is parallel to the direction ( 4i − 3j) .

The velocity of the sphere before the impact with the wall is ( 5i − 15 j) ms −1 .

Given that the coefficient of restitution between the sphere and the wall is 1 , find the
3
velocity of the sphere after the impact.

(
v = 61 i − 27 j
5 5 )

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Question 40 (****+)

2m 3m
θ
L
θ
P Q

Two smooth uniform spheres P and Q with equal radii have masses 2m and 3m
respectively. The spheres are moving in opposite directions on a smooth horizontal
surface, where they collide obliquely.

Immediately before the collision, P has speed u , and its direction of motion forms an
angle θ with the straight line L , joining the centres of the spheres on impact.

Immediately before the collision Q has speed u with its direction of motion also
forming an angle θ to L , as shown in the figure above.

Given that tan θ = 1 and the direction of motion of Q is deflected by 90° , as a result
5
of the collision, find the value of the coefficient of restitution between P and Q .

e = 0.3

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 41 (****+)
A smooth sphere B of mass 4m is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. Another
sphere A is moving with speed u in a straight line, on the same surface. There is a
collision between the two spheres and L is the straight line joining the centres of the
two spheres at the moment of impact.

The direction of motion of A immediately before the collision makes an angle of θ

with L , where 0° < θ < 90° .

Immediately after the collision, the direction of motion of A is at right angles to

direction of motion of A immediately before the collision.

Determine the greatest possible value of θ .

θ ≈ 37.76°

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Question 42 (****+)

u u
A B

before the collision

θ θ L
α β
after the collision m 2m

Two smooth spheres, A and B , of equal radius and respective masses m and 2m ,
are moving on a smooth horizontal plane when they collide obliquely.

When A and B collide the straight line through their centres is denoted by L .

The speeds of A and B before their collision are both u and the direction of both
speeds is at an acute angle θ to L .

After the collision, the direction of motion of A is at an acute angle α to L , and the
direction of motion of B is at an acute angle β to L , as shown in the figure above.

The coefficient of restitution between A and B is e .

Determine simplified expressions for tan α and tan β in terms of e and θ .

3tan θ 3tan θ
tan α = , tan β =
4e + 1 2e − 1

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 Created by T. Madas

Question 43 (****+)
In this question i and j are perpendicular unit vectors in a horizontal plane.

Two smooth spheres A and B , of equal radii, have respective masses of 3m kg and
m kg , and are moving on a smooth horizontal surface when they collide obliquely.

In standard Cartesian vector notation, the respective velocities of A and B just

before their collision are ( 2i + 4 j) ms −1 and ( 3i − 2 j) ms −1 .

a) Given that the velocity of B after the collision is ( 3i + 4 j) ms −1 , determine

the velocity of A after the collision.

b) Calculate the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres.

The radius of each of the two spheres is 0.1 m . At time T s after the collision the
centres of the spheres are 3.2 m apart.

c) Show that T = 1.351 s , correct to three decimal places.

e = 5 , I = 1.68 Ns , F = 189 ≈ 11.12 N

9 17

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 44 (****+)
In this question i and j are perpendicular unit vectors in a horizontal plane.

A smooth sphere is moving on a smooth horizontal surface when it strikes a fixed

smooth vertical wall. The wall is parallel to the vector 3i + j .

The velocity of the sphere immediately before the impact is a ( 3i − j) ms −1 , where a

is a positive scalar constant.

The velocity of the sphere immediately after the impact is b ( 2i + j) ms −1 , where b is

a positive scalar constant.

a) Calculate the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres.

b) Determine the fraction of the kinetic energy of the sphere that is lost due to the
collision with the wall.

e = 4 , 17
21 49

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 45 (****+)

2u

45°

A B

A smooth sphere B is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface at a fixed distance from a

smooth, long vertical wall. An identical sphere A is moving with speed 2 u in a
straight line, on the same surface, in a direction parallel to the wall.

There is a collision between the two spheres and L is the straight line joining the
centres of the two spheres at the moment of impact, which is at 45° to the wall as
shown in the figure above.

The coefficient of restitution between the two spheres is e .

After B collides with the wall, its direction of motion is parallel to the direction of
motion of A after the collision.

Show that the coefficient of restitution between B and the wall is

1+ e
.
3− e

M456-A , proof

Created by T. Madas
 Created by T. Madas

Question 46 (*****)

WALL

60°

B
A

A small smooth sphere A is moving with constant speed, in a straight line on a

smooth horizontal floor. It collides obliquely with an identical sphere B which is at
rest on the same horizontal floor. The direction of motion of A just before the
collision is parallel to a smooth vertical wall. At the instant of impact between the two
spheres, a straight line passing through the centres of the spheres makes an acute
angle of 60° with the wall, as shown in the figure above.

The coefficient of restitution between the two spheres is e .

After the spheres collide, B collides with the vertical wall and rebounds.

If the spheres now move in parallel directions, show that the coefficient of restitution
1+ e
between B and the wall is .
7−e

FM1-S , proof

Created by T. Madas
Created by T. Madas

Created by T. Madas