In a Physics Demonstration, Two Rubber Balls Are Dropped Down

Multiple Choice

In a physics demonstration, two rubber balls are dropped down a tube towards the ground, with the lighter ball behind, and not quite in contact with, the heavier ball. The heavier ball collides with the ground and bounces, then collides with the still descending lighter ball. Assume that all the collisions are elastic. In one such demonstration, the heavier ball has a mass of 500 grams, the lighter one a mass of 100 grams, and they are released 1.00 m above the ground. How high does the lighter ball rise after the two collisions?

A) 5.44 m
B) 10.3 m
C) 2.95 m
D) 5.89 m
E) 1.00 m