Physics (AS & A Level) · May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Question 12

The diagram shows the view from above of two hard balls rolling along a horizontal table. The balls each have a mass of 0.16 kg. The initial velocity of ball P is 5.5 m s⁻¹ and the initial velocity of ball Q is 4.2 m s⁻¹. The initial velocity of ball P is perpendicular to the initial velocity of ball Q. The balls collide at point X where ball Q stops immediately. There are no resistive forces acting on the balls. What is the speed of ball P after the collision?

1. A1.3 m s⁻¹
2. B5.5 m s⁻¹
3. C6.9 m s⁻¹
4. D9.7 m s⁻¹

As printed in the paper