Balls Collision

SalsaOnMyTaco

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A ball of mass m = 1.9 kg moving with a speed of v0 = 20.1 m/s strikes an identical ball which was initially at rest. After the collision, the incoming ball (ball 1) goes off at q1 = 26° relative to its original direction and the struck ball (ball 2) moves off at q2 = 36° as shown in the diagram.

What magnitude of kinetic energy was lost (to sound, heat, etc.) in the collision?

2. Relevant equations

ΔKf-ΔKi

3. The attempt at a solution
The final velocity of the billiard balls came up to be ball 1= 13.29 m/s and ball 2= 9.92 m/s
so...ΔK= 1/2 m(13.29²+9.92²)-1/2m(20.1²)
m=1.9

am i doing this right?

ehild

Your method is correct to get the change of energy from the speeds. The velocity is not a number, but a vector. So you calculated the speeds of the balls as 13.29 m/s and 9.92 m/s. How did you get these values?

ehild

SalsaOnMyTaco

v_1f= 1.34v_2f

20.1= v_1f cos26°+v_2f cos 36°
plug in v_1f= 1.34v_2f and solve for v_2f then plug in the result for v_2f in the first equation to get v_1f

ehild

To make your solution nice, you should write down the basic steps and the principle behind. From what law do your equations follow? (they are correct , but you should explain)

Regarding v_1f= 1.34v_2f, do not round off the intermediate results too much. At the end, you have to subtract the two energies. Your speed values are accurate only for the first decimal. The energies itself will be even less accurate. If they do not differ much, your end result would be quite inaccurate. The data are given with two significant digits, you need to give the result also with two significant digits, and should not introduce errors with the calculation. Do not round off too early!!!

ehild

azizlwl

The acclaimed, research-based four-step problem-solving
framework ISEE(Identify, Set Up, Execute, and Evaluate).

1. Identify.
a. Conservation of energy
b. Conservation of momentum.

SalsaOnMyTaco

P=mv therefore since the billiard balls go different directions, this is an elastic collision, so:

Pi=Pf m1v1i+m2v2i=m1v1f+m2v2f

So are you saying that i should re-do the problem (look for the velocities) except without rounding off to early, and plug in the new velocities into ΔK= 1/2m(v1f²+v2f[SUP]2[SUP] - ΔKi

SalsaOnMyTaco

hm, okay im getting new velocities and they also seem to be right when I type them in.
v1f=13.46
v2f=10.05

should i add them up to get the final kinetic energy?
1/2(1.9)(13.46^2+10.05^2) ?

SalsaOnMyTaco

pfffffffffffffff!. alright I finally got the answer. Thanks!

ehild

You helped to yourself I see...

ehild