Physics (AS & A Level) · Feb / March 2024 · Paper 12 · Question 8

Two balls P and Q, of equal mass, move along a straight line directly towards each other as shown. Ball P has velocity 1.30 m s⁻¹ to the right. Ball Q has velocity 0.50 m s⁻¹ to the left. P and Q collide with one another. The collision is perfectly elastic and the total momentum is conserved. Which diagram correctly shows the motion of P and Q after the collision?

1. AP 0.22 m s⁻¹ to the right, Q 0.58 m s⁻¹ to the right
2. BP 0.40 m s⁻¹ to the right, Q 0.40 m s⁻¹ to the right
3. CP 0.19 m s⁻¹ to the left, Q 0.99 m s⁻¹ to the right
4. DP 0.50 m s⁻¹ to the left, Q 1.30 m s⁻¹ to the right

As printed in the paper