Question

Three small bodies of identical masses can move along a straight line. The central body (2) is initially at rest and bodies 1 and 3 are at a distance L and 2L from the central body respectively. Bodies 1 and 3 move towards body 2 with speeds $v_0$ each. The collision between 1 and 2 is perfectly elastic and the collision between body 2 and 3 is perfectly inelastic. After all the collisions are over ,

• A. all the bodies come to rest
• B. the body 1 moves towards left, bodies 2 and 3 move towards right
• C. body 2 remains at rest and other bodies 1 and 3 turn back
• D. all the bodies move towards right.

Answer 1

The correct option is A all the bodies come to rest

After the collision between 1 and 2, mass 1 stops and mass 2 proceeds to right with speed $v_0$ to collide with mass 3. The collision between mass 2 and 3 is perfectly inelastic. Hence 2 and 3 also come to rest after the collision.