Question

Two identical masses are released from rest in a smooth hemispherical bowl of radius R, from the positions shown in the figure . You can ignore friction between the masses and the surface of the bowl.

If they stick together when they collide, how high above the bottom of the bowl will the masses go after colliding?

Answer 1

   

Answer 2

Answer 3

Solutiorn Assume the following diagram for the problem We can define the speed of the first mass before collision with another that lay in rest at the bottom of the bowl Use conservation momentum to define the speed of the masses The height of masses they attain after their collision is given by 2mgh--2mlv 2gR Therefore, after collision the masses go to the height of |R/4 from bottom of the bowl.