Halliday, Resnick & Walker — Center of Mass and Linear Momentum: Problem 11

Block 1 with mass \(m_1\) slides along an \(x\) axis across a frictionless floor and then undergoes an elastic collision with a stationary block 2 with mass \(m_2\). Figure 9.11 shows a plot of position \(x\) versus time \(t\) of block 1 until the collision occurs at position \(x_c\) and time \(t_c\). In which of the lettered regions on the graph will the plot be continued (after the collision) if (a) \(m_1 m_2\)? (c) Along which of the numbered dashed lines will the plot be continued if \(m_1 = m_2\)?