Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-1-paper-of-the-university-of-oxford/2017-resit/9/c/solution

For masses and , the constant centre-of-mass velocity is . Initially the laboratory velocities are and zero, while the centre-of-mass frame velocities are and . After the elastic collision they are
Adding produces the lower-left panel's laboratory velocity vectors. The given laboratory angle implies
The centre-of-mass frame scattering angle is therefore different from the laboratory angle. Reflection across the -axis gives the equally possible negative-angle configuration.

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