Question

A collision of two blocks takes place along a horizontal surface without friction. First block with mass $M_1=3.00kg$ initially moves to the left with speed $V_1=5.00m/s$ when it hits a block with mass $M_2=5.00kg$ initially moving to the right with speed $V_2=2.00m/s$. After colliding, the block with mass $M_1$ is moving to the right with speed $1.00m/s$. Which of the blocks underwent a larger magnitude of acceleration during the collision?

• A. The block with mass $M_1$
• B. The block with mass $M_2$
• C. The magnitude of the acceleration was the same for both blocks
• D. More information about the time of the collision is required to answer the question

Answer 1

The correct option is A The block with mass $M_1$

During the collision the impulsive force acts on both the bodies and because of Newton's third law both the forces acting on the two bodies are equal in magnitude.

Thus, a block with smaller mass undergoes larger magnitude of acceleration.