Response:
When ball A is thrown, the target's height will be 2.65 m
The height achieved by the target when ball A is used is 2.2 m
Using ball A results in the target reaching a higher altitude, so I will opt to throw ball A
Clarification:
Provided;
mass of the target, m₁ = 5.00 kg
mass of the ball, m₂ = 1.5 kg
initial velocity of the throws, u = 12 m/s
Throwing ball A; we use the conservation of linear momentum principle for elastic collisions;
m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = v₁m₁ + v₂m₂
The target's initial velocity, u₁ = 0
The ball rebounded at the same speed, v₂ = -12 m/s
The post-collision speed of the target is v₁
0 + 1.5 x 12 = v₁(5) + (-12 x 1.5)
18 = 5v₁ - 18
18 + 18 = 5v₁
36 = 5v₁
v₁ = 36/5
v₁ = 7.2 m/s
The height the target reaches can be calculated with;
v₁² = u₁² + 2gh
v₁² = 0 + 2gh
v₁² = 2gh
h = v₁² / 2g
h = (7.2)² / (2 x 9.8)
h = 2.65 m
Throwing ball B; utilize the conservation of energy for the inelastic collision;
the ball's kinetic energy transforms into the potential energy of the target.
¹/₂m₁u₂² = mgh
¹/₂(1.5)(12)² = (5 x 9.8)h
108 = 49h
h = 108 / 49
h = 2.2 m
Ball A will cause the target to achieve a higher elevation, therefore, I will choose to throw ball A.