Question

In an event of head-on elastic collision between two particles, which of the following statements given below is true?

• A. Transfer of energy between the particles is maximum when their mass ratio is unity.
• B. Transfer of energy between the particles is maximum when their mass ratio is less than one.
• C. Transfer of energy between the particles is maximum when their mass ratio is greater than one.
• D. Transfer of energy is maximum and is independent of masses.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Transfer of energy between the particles is maximum when their mass ratio is unity.

Let us consider two particles have the same mass and let $u_1$ , $u_2$ be their initial velocities respectively.
When those two masses collide elastically, we know that their velocities are interchanged and there is zero loss of $K.E$.
$\therefore$ Energy transfer is maximum when the mass ratio is unity.