(a) Using conservation of momentum for the collision between A and B:
Initial momentum: \(0.3 \times 2 + 0.4 \times 0 = 0.6\).
Final momentum: \(0.3 \times 0.6 + 0.4 \times v\).
Equating initial and final momentum:
\(0.6 = 0.18 + 0.4v\).
Solving for \(v\):
\(0.4v = 0.42\).
\(v = 1.05\) m/s.
(b) Using conservation of momentum for the collision between B and C:
Initial momentum: \(0.4 \times 1.05 + m \times 0 = 0.42\).
Final momentum: \((0.4 + m) \times 0.5\).
Equating initial and final momentum:
\(0.42 = (0.4 + m) \times 0.5\).
\(0.42 = 0.2 + 0.5m\).
\(0.5m = 0.22\).
\(m = \frac{11}{25}\).
(c) To find the time from when B and C collide until A collides with the combined particle:
Distance traveled by B and C together: \(0.5t\).
Distance traveled by A: \(0.6t\).
Since the total distance is 2.1 m, we have:
\(0.6t - 0.9 = 0.5t\).
\(0.1t = 0.9\).
\(t = 9\) s.