Physics (AS & A Level) · Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Question 11

The diagram shows a 'ballistic pendulum'. A pellet of mass $m$ travelling at a speed $u$ hits a stationary block of mass $M$. The pellet becomes embedded in the block and causes the block to move at a speed $v$ immediately after the impact. When a pellet of mass $2m$, travelling at a speed $2u$, hits a block of mass $2M$, what is the speed of the block immediately after the impact? (Neglect the small increase in the mass of the block as the pellet's mass is added during the collision.)

1. A$v$
2. B$v\sqrt{2}$
3. C$2v$
4. D$4v$

As printed in the paper