Two identical balls are in contact on a table . A third identical ball strike them symmeritically and come to rest after impact . The coefficient of restitution is? Thanks

1 Answer
Feb 8, 2017

Let m be mass of all three identical balls. Let the two stationary balls be positioned on the y-axis.

Let uˆx be velocity of striking ball.
As such initial momentum=muˆx.

At the time of impact, which is given as symmetrical, the three centers of balls make an equilateral triangle.

By symmetry, after impact, both stationary balls will move with equal velocity along their respectively lines of impact which make an angle of 30 with x-axis.
Let v1andv2 be velocities of two balls respectively, where v1andv2=v.

Due to Law of Conservation of momentum, the y component of both balls will be equal and opposite to each other. Therefore, equating initial momentum with x components of momentum of both balls we get
mu=2mvcos30
u=2v32
u=3v ......(1)

From Newton's law of Restitution we know that coefficient of restitution e is given by the expression

e=relative velocity after the collisionrelative velocity before the collision .....(2)

In the instant case we use velocity component of striking ball along the line of impact with one of balls
e=v0ucos300
e=vu32
Using (1) we get
e=v3v32
e=23