AS-Level Maths:

Mechanics 2
for Edexcel

M2.5 Collisions

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 Momentum

Momentum
Contents

Impulse
Direct collisions
Collision with a smooth plane
Examination-style questions

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Conservation of momentum

Moving objects are said to have momentum, p, which is the

product of mass and velocity, measured in kg ms-1 or
Newton seconds (Ns), which are equivalent.
p = mv

Momentum is a vector quantity with direction as well as

magnitude. The momentum of a stationary object is zero.
When two objects collide, their velocity and momentum may
be affected.
The principle of conservation of momentum states that:
Total momentum before collision = Total momentum after

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Conservation of momentum

Two smooth spheres A and B, of masses 0.2 kg and 0.5 kg

respectively, are projected towards each other with speeds
of 6 ms-1 and 8 ms-1. After they collide sphere A rebounds
with a speed of 7 ms-1.
Calculate the speed with which sphere B moves after the
collision and state its direction.

6 8
Before
impact 0.2 0.5
A B
7 v
After
impact 0.2 0.5

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Conservation of momentum

Taking the positive direction of motion to be from

left to right:

(0.2 × 6) – (0.5 × 8) = (0.2 × –7) + (0.5 × v)

1.2 – 4 = –1.4 + 0.5v

0.5v = –1.4

v = –2.8

Therefore the speed of B after the collision is 2.8 ms-1 and

the particle continues moving in the same direction as before
the collision (i.e. from right to left).

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 Impulse

Momentum
Contents

Impulse
Direct collisions
Collision with a smooth plane
Examination-style questions

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Impulse

The change to a body’s momentum caused by a collision is

called impulse, measured in Ns. Impulse is a vector quantity
with magnitude and direction.

Impulse = change in momentum

I = mv – mu
where u is the initial velocity and v is the final velocity.

The impulse that a body A exerts on a body B is of equal

magnitude to the impulse that B exerts on A, but it acts in
the opposite direction.

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Impulse

A ball of mass 0.75 kg hits the floor with a speed of 10 ms-1.

It rebounds with a speed of 7 ms-1.
Find the impulse exerted by the floor on the ball.

Taking the upwards direction to be positive:

Impulse = (0.75 × 7) – (0.75 × –10)

= 5.25 + 7.5
= 12.75 Ns

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Momentum & impulse as vectors
Sometimes a collision alters the line along which a particle is
travelling, as in the example below.
In these cases, we might need to find the magnitude and
direction of the impulse by resolving a vector quantity into its
horizontal and vertical components.

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Impulse vector question

A ball of mass 2 kg is travelling horizontally at a speed of

6 ms-1 when it is struck by a bat. After the collision the ball
is travelling upwards at 30° to the horizontal in the opposite
direction at a speed of 8 ms-1.
Find the impulse exerted on the ball by the bat.

8 ms-1
6 ms-1 30°
Before 2 2 After

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Impulse vector question

The velocity of the ball before and after the collision can be
expressed in vector notation as follows:
8ms-1
u = 6i
30°
v = –8 cos 30°i + 8 cos 60°j
(where i is horizontal and j is vertical). 2 After

Impulse = change in momentum

I = mv – mu = 2 × (–8 cos 30°i + 8 cos 60°j) – 2 × 6i

I = 2 × (–43i + 4j) – 12i

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Impulse vector question

I = (–83 – 12)i + 8j

I
8
θ
(–83 – 12)

 
2
I= 8 3  12  82  27.1 Ns (3 s.f.)

 8 
1
θ = tan   = 17.2 (3 s.f.) to the negative i direction.
 8 3 12 

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 Direct collisions

Momentum
Contents

Impulse
Direct collisions
Collision with a smooth plane
Examination-style questions

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Direct collisions

Two bodies are said to have been in a direct collision when

the velocities before and after impact are in a straight line.
This means that the bodies either rebound, continue in the
same direction with reduced speed, or continue with the
same velocity.
The outcome depends partly on the constitution of the bodies.

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Newton’s experimental law

Newton’s Experimental Law (NEL) states that:

In direct collisions the relative velocity of the
two bodies is reversed and the speed of
separation is e times the speed of approach
where e is a constant for two surfaces in contact called
the coefficient of restitution, and 0 ≤ e ≤1.
It follows that the speed of separation is always less than or
equal to the speed of approach.
e depends on the nature of the two surfaces in contact.
For example, between a tennis ball and a concrete floor e will
be close to 1, but e will be much lower between a tennis ball
and a carpeted floor.

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Elastic and inelastic collisions

A perfectly elastic collision is one in which e = 1.

A perfectly inelastic collision is one in which e = 0.

In a perfectly elastic collision, the kinetic energy of the

system will be conserved. In all other collisions kinetic
energy will be lost.

The loss in kinetic energy in the collision is equal to:

m1m2
(1 e2) X 2
2m1m2

where X is the speed of approach.

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Applying Newton’s Experimental Law

When applying Newton’s Experimental Law, it is advisable

to treat each velocity as either positive or negative in the
same direction.
u1 –u2
Before

A B

After –v1 v2

A and B are travelling in opposite directions, so the speed

of approach is u1 + (–u2) and the speed of separation is
(–v1) + v2.
So Newton’s Experimental Law can be expressed as:
v2 – v1 = –e(u2 – u1)
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Particles question 1

Question 1: A particle A is moving at a speed of 4 ms-1

towards a particle B moving at a speed of 5 ms-1 in the same
line.
After the collision the direction of motion of both particles is
reversed. A moves with a speed of 5 ms-1 and B moves with
a speed of 2 ms-1.
Calculate the coefficient of restitution between these
particles.

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Particles question 1

4 –5
Before

A B

After
–5 2

Apply NEL: (2 – –5) = –e(–5 – 4)

7 = 9e
e = 79
Intuitively, in this simple example, we can see that the
speed of approach is 9 ms-1 and the speed of separation
is 7 ms-1, which also gives the required result.

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Particles question 2

Question 2: Two particles A and B of mass 3 kg and 4 kg

respectively are travelling towards each other in a straight
line.
A has a speed of 10 ms-1 and B has a speed of 2 ms-1.
Given that the coefficient of restitution between the two
particles is 31 , find the speeds of A and B immediately after
the collision.
State the direction of motion of each particle.

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Particles question 2

10 –2
In this example we have two
Before unknowns. Therefore, we
need to solve using
3 kg 4 kg
simultaneous equations.
After
v1 v2

Use conservation of momentum:

Total momentum before collision = Total momentum after

(3 × 10) + (4 × –2) = (3 × v1) + (4 × v2)

30 – 8 = 3v1 + 4v2

 3v1 + 4v2 = 22

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Particles question 2

Apply NEL:
v2 – v1 = – 31 (–2 – 10)
v 2 – v1 = 4

Solve the equations simultaneously:

3v1 + 4v2 = 22
v2 – v1 = 4  3v2 – 3v1 = 12
Adding gives: 7v2 = 34  v2 = 4 76  v1 = 76

Therefore after the collision the speed of A is 76 ms-1 and the

speed of B is 4 6 ms-1. Since the velocities are positive, both
7
particles are moving in the original direction of A.

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Particles question 3

Question 3: Three particles A, B and C of masses 2 kg, 3 kg

and 5 kg respectively are on a straight level smooth surface.
A is moving towards B and C with a speed of 15 ms-1 whilst B
and C are at rest.
If A is brought to rest after the collision with B and B is
brought to rest after the collision with C, find the coefficient of
restitution between particles B and C.

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Particles question 3

It is necessary to deal with the two collisions separately.

First, consider the collision between A and B:
15 0
Before

2 kg 3 kg

After
0 v1

Using conservation of momentum:

(2 × 15) + (3 × 0) = (2 × 0) + (3 × v1)
30 = 3v1
 v1 = 10
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Particles question 3

Now that we know the speed of B after the first collision, we

can examine the collision between B and C.

10 0
Before Using conservation of momentum:
3kg 5kg (3 × 10) + (5 × 0) = (3 × 0) + (5 × v2)
30 = 5v2
After
0 v2  v2 = 6

Apply NEL to the collision between B and C:

6 – 0 = – e(0 – 10)
6 = 10e
 e = 0.6
The coefficient of restitution between B and C is 0.6.
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 Collision with a smooth plane

Momentum
Contents

Impulse
Direct collisions
Collision with a smooth plane
Examination-style questions

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Collision with a smooth plane

When looking at a collision between a particle and a

smooth plane we use the formula:
v = eu
where u is the speed of approach and v is the speed of
separation.

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Smooth plane question 1

Question 1: A particle is travelling horizontally with a speed

of 8 ms-1 when it hits a fixed smooth vertical plane. The
coefficient of restitution between the particle and the plane
is 41 .
Calculate the speed with which the particle rebounds after
the impact.

Apply NEL:
1
v = eu = 4 ×8=2

Therefore the particle rebounds with a speed of 2 ms-1.

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Smooth plane question 2

Question 2: A particle falls from rest onto a fixed smooth

horizontal plane 10 m below. If it rebounds from the plane
with a speed of 3.5 ms-1, calculate the coefficient of
restitution between the particle and the plane.
We know: u = 0, s = 10, a = 9.8
Therefore we use v2 = u2 + 2as to calculate the speed of the
particle as it collides with the plane.
v2 = 0 + 2 × 9.8 × 10 = 196
 v = 14
The particle strikes the plane with a speed of 14 ms-1.
Apply NEL: e  uv  314
.5 = 1
4
Therefore the coefficient of restitution is ¼.

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Smooth plane question 3

Question 3: A particle is travelling horizontally when it

collides with a smooth fixed vertical plane.
As a result of this collision the particle loses ¼ of its kinetic
energy.
Find the coefficient of restitution between the particle and the
plane.
Let the speed of the particle immediately before the collision
be u ms-1.
Applying NEL, v = eu
Therefore the particle has a speed of eu ms-1
immediately after the collision.

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Smooth plane question 3

K.E. before collision = ½ × m × u2

K.E. after collision = ½ × m × (eu)2
Loss in K.E. = (½ × m × u2) – (½ × m × (eu)2)
Since the particle loses ¼ of its kinetic energy in the
collision
(½ × m × u2) – (½ × m × (eu)2) = ¼(½ × m × u2)
½m(u2 – e2u2) = ¼(½mu2)
4mu2 – 4me2u2 = mu2
4 – 4e2 = 1
3 3
e2 = 4 e= 2

Therefore the coefficient of restitution is 3 .

2
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 Examination-style questions

Momentum
Contents

Impulse
Direct collisions
Collision with a smooth plane
Examination-style questions

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Exam question 1

A rocket of mass 3000 kg is travelling at 100 ms-1. It then

splits into two sections, the front and the rear, of masses
2000 kg and 1000 kg respectively.
Both pieces continue to travel in the same direction as before
the separation.
If the speed of the front section is 125 ms-1 after the
separation find:
a) The impulse exerted on the front piece as a result of the
separation.
b) The speed of the rear section after the separation.

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Exam question 1

Before After
100 v 125

3000 1000 2000

Impulse = change in momentum

The change in momentum refers to the front part of the
rocket only and so only the front part of the rocket is used
when calculating the momentum before the collision.
Impulse = (2000 × 125) – (2000 × 100) = 50 000
Therefore the impulse exerted on the front part of the rocket
is 50 kNs.

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Exam question 1

Using conservation of momentum:

3000 × 100 = 1000v + 2000 × 125
300 000 = 1000v + 250 000
1000v = 50000
v = 50

Therefore the rear section of the rocket is travelling at a

speed of 50 ms-1 after separation.

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Exam question 2

Two particles A and B of masses 2 kg and 0.5 kg respectively

are at rest on a smooth horizontal surface.
A is projected towards B with a speed of 5 ms-1.
As particle A collides with B they coalesce to form a single
particle C which continues to move in the same direction as
A.
Particle C strikes a smooth fixed vertical barrier.
If the coefficient of restitution between C and the barrier is ½,
calculate the energy lost in the collision between C and this
barrier.

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Exam question 2

To find the loss in kinetic energy after the second collision

it is first necessary to find the speed of C before and after
the collision.

The first step is to calculate the speed of C immediately

after A and B have coalesced.

Before After
e=½
5 0 v1

2 0.5 2.5

v2

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Exam question 2

Using conservation of momentum,

2 × 5 + 0 = 2.5 × v1
10 = 2.5v1
 v1 = 4
Therefore the speed of C before the collision with the barrier is
4 ms-1.

It is now necessary to find the speed of C after the collision

with the barrier.

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Exam question 2

Apply NEL:
v = eu = ½ × 4 = 2
Therefore the speed of C after the collision is 2 ms-1.

We can now find the loss in kinetic energy asked for.

K.E. before = ½ × 2.5 × 42 = 20
K.E. after = ½ × 2.5 × 22 = 5
Loss in K.E. = 15

Therefore the energy lost in the collision between C and the

barrier is 15 J.

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Exam question 3

A smooth sphere A of mass m kg is moving in a straight line

on a smooth horizontal surface with a speed of 2u ms-1.
Another sphere B of mass 3m kg is at rest on the table.
A collides directly with B and as a result of this collision its
direction of motion is reversed. If the coefficient of
restitution is e :
a) show that the speed of B immediately after the collision is
½(1 + e)u.
b) find the range of values of e.
c) kinetic energy is lost in the collision. What form of energy
could this lost kinetic energy be transferred to?

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Exam question 3

2u 0 a) Using Conservation of Momentum:

m 3m
2mu + 0 = mv1 + 3mv2
v1 v2  v1 + 3v2 = 2u

Apply NEL:
v2 – v1 = –e(0 – 2u)
 v2 – v1 = 2eu
Solve simultaneously by adding:
4v2 = 2eu + 2u
v2 = ½u(e + 1)
Therefore the speed of B after the collision is ½(1 + e)u ms-1.

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Exam question 3

b) To calculate the range of values of e we use the

fact that the motion of A is reversed, i.e. v1 < 0.
v1 = v2 – 2eu
v1 = (½u + ½eu) – 2eu
v1 = ½u(1 – 3e)
Since v1 < 0: ½u(1 – 3e) < 0
u – 3eu < 0
1 – 3e < 0
1 1
e>3 Therefore 3 < e ≤ 1

c) Kinetic energy could have been transformed into sound

energy.

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