Question

In head on elastic collision of two bodies of equal masses:

• A. the velocities are interchanged
• B. the speeds are interchanged
• C. the momentum are interchanged
• D. the faster body slows down and the slower body speeds up

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C), (D)

The correct options are
A the speeds are interchanged
B the faster body slows down and the slower body speeds up
C the momentum are interchanged
D the velocities are interchanged

For a head-on collision with a stationary object of equal mass, the projectile will come to rest and the target will move off with equal velocity. Hence, the velocities are interchanged i.e. the speeds are interchanged which in turn interchanges the momentum. Also, if target have some velocity then the faster body slows down and the slower body speed up.