Two frictionless carts P, Q and R move on the same straight track and collide against…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Work, Energy and Power · Work, Energy and Power
Problem
Two frictionless carts P, Q and R move on the same straight track and collide against a rigid bumper fixed at one end. The masses and initial velocities just before impact are:
P: 0.4 kg moving at 1.5 m s⁻¹ towards the bumper;
Q: 0.6 kg moving at 1.2 m s⁻¹ towards the bumper;
R: 0.5 kg moving at 2.0 m s⁻¹ towards the bumper.
Each cart rebounds directly backward with a speed equal to 60 % of the speed with which it struck the bumper. The contact times with the bumper are identical for all three carts.
(i) Calculate the impulse experienced by each cart during its collision with the bumper. State the direction of each impulse relative to the initial motion of the cart.
(ii) Rank the impulses on carts P, Q and R in descending order of magnitude.
(iii) For the cart that experiences the greatest impulse, determine the average force exerted by the bumper if the duration of contact is 0.020 s.