Q127 / 160 · AP EAMCET 2022 (07 Jul Shift 2) · Physics
Two wooden blocks of mass $M_1$ and $M_2$ rest on a frictionless table. $A$ bullet of mass $m$ is fired at $M_1$ with speed $v$ which embedded in it and the two together finally collide with $M_2$. Find the velocity of $M_2$ after collision. (Ignore any energy loss and treat the problem to be one dimensional)
- Correct answerA$\frac{2 m v}{M_1+M_2+m}$
- B$\frac{m v}{M_1+M_2+m}$
- C$\frac{\left(M_1+M_2+m\right) v}{M_1+M_2+m}$
- D$\frac{M_1+M_2}{M_1+M_2+m} v$
Solution
( ) For an elastic collision of 2 masses $m_1$ and $m_2$ with initial velocities $u_1$ and $u_2$, final velocities of masses after collision are
$$
v_1=\left(\frac{m_1-m_2}{m_1+m_2}\right) u_1+\frac{2 m_2 u_2}{\left(m_1+m_2\right)}
$$
and
$$
v_2=\left(\frac{m_2-m_1}{m_1+m_2}\right) u_2+\frac{2 m_1 u_2}{m_1+m_2}
$$

These are obtained as standard results by applying conservation of energy and momentum equations. Now, in given case at first bullet is embedded in mass $M_1$. Let speed of bullet + Block system be $v_1$ after collision.
Then by conservation of momentum we have. $$ \begin{aligned} & m v=\left(m+M_1\right) v_1 \\ & \text { or } \quad v_1=\left(\frac{m v}{m+M_1}\right) \end{aligned} $$ Note Here we are not using standard result as first collision is perfectly inelastic. Now, bullet $+M_1$ strikes $M_2$ and it is given in problem that this collision is elastic.
Now, by formula we have, $$ \begin{aligned} v_2 & =\left(\frac{\left(m+M_1\right)-M_2}{m+M_1+M_2}\right) v_1+0 \\ \text { and, } v_3 & =\left(\frac{M_2-\left(m+M_1\right)}{M_2+m+M_1} \times 0\right)+\left(\frac{2\left(m+M_1\right) v_1}{m+M_1+M_2}\right) \\ \Rightarrow \quad v_3 & =\frac{2\left(m+M_1\right)}{m+M_1+M_2} \cdot \frac{m v}{\left(m+M_1\right)} \\ & =\frac{2 m v}{m+M_1+M_2} \end{aligned} $$ Note You can remember these standard and useful results for finding final velocities in case of elastic collisions.

These are obtained as standard results by applying conservation of energy and momentum equations. Now, in given case at first bullet is embedded in mass $M_1$. Let speed of bullet + Block system be $v_1$ after collision.

Then by conservation of momentum we have. $$ \begin{aligned} & m v=\left(m+M_1\right) v_1 \\ & \text { or } \quad v_1=\left(\frac{m v}{m+M_1}\right) \end{aligned} $$ Note Here we are not using standard result as first collision is perfectly inelastic. Now, bullet $+M_1$ strikes $M_2$ and it is given in problem that this collision is elastic.

Now, by formula we have, $$ \begin{aligned} v_2 & =\left(\frac{\left(m+M_1\right)-M_2}{m+M_1+M_2}\right) v_1+0 \\ \text { and, } v_3 & =\left(\frac{M_2-\left(m+M_1\right)}{M_2+m+M_1} \times 0\right)+\left(\frac{2\left(m+M_1\right) v_1}{m+M_1+M_2}\right) \\ \Rightarrow \quad v_3 & =\frac{2\left(m+M_1\right)}{m+M_1+M_2} \cdot \frac{m v}{\left(m+M_1\right)} \\ & =\frac{2 m v}{m+M_1+M_2} \end{aligned} $$ Note You can remember these standard and useful results for finding final velocities in case of elastic collisions.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.