Chapter 14.2, Problem 14.47P

Four small disks A, B, C, and D can slide freely on a frictionless horizontal surface. Disks B, C, and D are connected by light rods and are at rest in the position shown when disk B is struck squarely by disk A, which is moving to the right with a velocity $v_0=\left(38.5\text{ft/s}\right)\text{i}$ . The weights of the disks are $W_A=W_B=W_C=15\text{Ib}$ and $W_D=30\text{Ib}$ . Knowing that the velocities of the disks immediately after the impact are $v_A=v_B=\left(8.25\text{ft/s}\right)\text{i,}{v}_C=v_{C}i$ and $v_D=v_{D}i$, determine (a) the speeds $v_C$ and $v_D$, (b) the fraction of the initial kinetic energy of the system which is dissipated during the collision.