Question:medium

A body of mass $2\mathrm{kg}$ makes an elastic collision with another body at rest and continues to move in the original direction with one-fourth its original speed. The mass of the second body which collides with the first body is

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For elastic collisions, $v_1 = \frac{m_1 - m_2}{m_1 + m_2} u_1$.
Updated On: May 3, 2026
  • $2\mathrm{kg}$
  • $1.2\mathrm{kg}$
  • $3\mathrm{kg}$
  • $1.5\mathrm{kg}$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To solve this problem, we need to use the principle of conservation of momentum and the principle of conservation of kinetic energy, both of which apply to elastic collisions.

  1. Conservation of Momentum:
    The total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. Let \( m_1 = 2\, \text{kg} \) be the mass of the first body, and \( u \) be its initial velocity. The initial velocity of the second body \( m_2 \) is zero since it is at rest. \(m_1 \times u + m_2 \times 0 = m_1 \times v_1 + m_2 \times v_2\) 
    Given, \( v_1 = \frac{u}{4} \). Thus, \(2 \times u = 2 \times \frac{u}{4} + m_2 \times v_2\) 
    Simplifying gives: \(2u = \frac{u}{2} + m_2 \times v_2\) 
    \(4u - u = 2m_2 \times v_2\) 
    \(3u = 2m_2 \times v_2\)
  2. Conservation of Kinetic Energy:
    The total kinetic energy before collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after collision. \(\frac{1}{2} m_1 u^2 = \frac{1}{2} m_1 v_1^2 + \frac{1}{2} m_2 v_2^2\) 
    Substituting the values: \(\frac{1}{2} \times 2 \times u^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 2 \times \left(\frac{u}{4}\right)^2 + \frac{1}{2} \times m_2 \times v_2^2\) 
    Simplifying gives: \(u^2 = \frac{u^2}{8} + \frac{m_2 \times v_2^2}{2}\) 
    Perform algebraic simplifications: \(8u^2 = u^2 + 4m_2 \times v_2^2\) 
    \(7u^2 = 4m_2 \times v_2^2\)
  3. Solving the Equations:
    From the equation of momentum: \(v_2 = \frac{3u}{2m_2}\) 
    Substitute this expression into the kinetic energy equation: \(7u^2 = 4m_2 \times \left(\frac{3u}{2m_2}\right)^2\) 
    \(7u^2 = \frac{36u^2}{4m_2}\) 
    Simplifying gives: \(7 = \frac{36}{4m_2}\) 
    \(28m_2 = 36\) 
    Thus, \( m_2 = \frac{36}{28} = 1.2857 \approx 1.2 \, \text{kg} \) (considering the options given).

Therefore, the mass of the second body is 1.2 kg.

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