1. Tardigrade
  2. Question
  3. Physics
  4. Two particles P and Q each of mass 3 m lie at rest on the X-axis at points (-a, 0) and (+a, 0), respectively. A third particle R of mass 2 m initially at the origin moves towards the particle Q. If all the collisions of the system of 3 particles are elastic and head on, the total number of collisions in the system is

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Q. Two particles $P$ and $Q$ each of mass $3 \,m$ lie at rest on the X-axis at points $(-a, 0)$ and $(+a, 0)$, respectively. A third particle $R$ of mass $2 \,m$ initially at the origin moves towards the particle $Q$. If all the collisions of the system of $3$ particles are elastic and head on, the total number of collisions in the system is

AP EAMCETAP EAMCET 2019

Solution:

According to question, three particles are situated as shown below,
image
$\because$ All the collision of the system of 3 particles are elastic and head on.
So, collision of $R$ and $Q$
image
Hence, $R$ and $Q$ will never collide after 1st collision.
$\therefore $ Total numbers of collision is $2 $