Q 2) Two particles, P, of mass 2m, and Q, of mass m, are moving along the same straight line on a smooth horizontal plane. They are moving in opposite directions towards each other and collide. Immediately before the collision the speed of P is 2u and the speed of Q is u. The coefficient of restitution between the particles is e, where e<1. Find, in terms of u and e
(i) Speed of P after collision
(ii)Speed of Q after collision
See my situation has the balls colliding and rebounding in opposite directions but the mark scheme has them colliding and going in the same direction. How do I figure out which direction they will go in ? because I have the same answers but with different signs like my answer for (i) is u(e-1)** mark scheme has it as u(1-e). If I did this in the exam, will my answer be rejected ?
My answer for part B is correct because the direction that I chose for it is the correct one but A is wrong because of its direction
This is Jan 2010