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Grade 12Mechanics

2masses undergo elastic collision as shown in figure. A plane mirror is moving with a speed 3v as shown. After collision what is the relative velocity of mass 1 after collision with respect to its image?

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Profile image of Srilekha
8 Years agoGrade 12
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1 Answer

Profile image of Eshan
8 Years ago
In an elastic collision between equal masses, their velocities get exchanged. Hence the mass 1 moves with velocityvtowards the mirror after collision.

But the velocity of mass with respect to mirror is4vtowards the mirror. So the image will also move towards the mirror(on the other side) with velocity4v. Hence the velocity of mass 1 with respect to its image is8v.