Two atoms move along the same straight line inside a long

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Work, Energy and Power · Work, Energy and Power

Problem

Two atoms move along the same straight line inside a long, frictionless tube and undergo a head-on elastic collision. Atom 1 has mass

m_1 = 2.0\,\text{u}

(atomic mass units) and approaches from the left with speed

v_1 = 600\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

. Atom 2 has mass

m_2 = 3.0\,\text{u}

and approaches from the right with speed

v_2 = 400\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

. Before the collision the tube contains no other atoms, and external forces are negligible. (a) Derive symbolic expressions for the speeds

v_1'

and

v_2'

of the two atoms immediately after the collision. (b) Using the given numerical values, calculate

v_1'

and

v_2'

, including appropriate signs to indicate direction. (c) Determine the percentage of the initial total kinetic energy that is transferred from atom 1 to atom 2 as a result of the collision, and interpret the physical significance of your answer.

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