Center of Mass, Momentum and Collision: Advanced — Inelastic Chain MCQ

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Advanced — Inelastic ChainHardQuestion 30573

Question

In a chain of perfectly inelastic collisions (mass m hits mass m, hits mass m, ..., n times total), the final speed of the last mass in terms of initial v₀ is:

A
v₀/n
Correct
B
v₀/2ⁿ
C
v₀/(n!)
D
v₀×n

Correct answer

v₀/n

Explanation

Each time m hits nm at rest in a chain of perfectly inelastic collisions, speed reduces by factor 1/(n+1). But for sequential collisions: after 1st collision, speed = v₀/2. After 2nd, 2m hits 2m at rest: speed remains v₀/2? No — it's more complex. For sequential individual collisions: final speed = v₀/n.

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