Two dimensional collision. Center of mass reference frames?

In summary, the problem involves two identical disks colliding elastically on a frictionless horizontal surface. The second disk, initially at rest, gains more kinetic energy after the collision and moves off at an angle of 30° with respect to the x-direction. The first disk moves off at an angle of 60° with respect to the x-direction. The solution to this problem involves using the center of mass reference frame and the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy equations. In the center of mass frame, the two disks have equal but opposite momenta and equal speeds after the collision. This translates back to the lab frame where the second disk has a larger speed and therefore more kinetic energy.
  • #1
yigh
2
0

Homework Statement


[PLAIN]http://online.physics.uiuc.edu/cgi/courses/shell/common/showme.pl?courses/phys211/oldexams/exam2/sp10/fig3.gif
A 4.0 kg circular disk slides in the x-direction on a frictionless horizontal surface with a speed of 5.0 m/s. It collides with an identical disk that is at rest before the collision. The collision is elastic. Disk 1 goes off at an angle of 60° with respect to the x-direction. Disk 2 goes off at an angle of 30° with respect to the x-direction. Treat the disks as point objects and ignore the possible rotations of the disks.

1) Why does disk two have more KE?
2) Find speed of disk 2 after collision.



Homework Equations


Conservation of momentum/Ke since the collision is elastic.


The Attempt at a Solution


My professor wants me to use center of mass reference frame (and velocity of CM) to solve this problem. I am not sure how to do this, but I do know how to calculate the Vcm before the collision. It is m1v2/(m1+m2). Vcm is same after collision so the Y velocities should cancel out. I can't quite connect that with why the KE of disk 2 is bigger, though.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
In the center of mass frame, the total momentum is equal to 0, so the two masses would have to have equal but opposite momenta. Initially, m1 would be moving in the +x direction and m2 would be moving in the -x direction with equal speeds. What speed would each have? What does it generally look like after the collision in the COM frame? How does that translate back to the lab frame?
 

1. What is a two dimensional collision?

A two dimensional collision is a type of physical interaction between two objects in which they come into contact and exert forces on each other, resulting in changes in their velocities.

2. How is the center of mass used in two dimensional collisions?

The center of mass is a point that represents the overall position of an object or system of objects. In a two dimensional collision, the center of mass reference frame is used to simplify calculations and analyze the motion of the objects involved.

3. What is the conservation of momentum in two dimensional collisions?

The conservation of momentum states that in a closed system, the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This means that in a two dimensional collision, the total momentum of the objects involved will remain the same.

4. How do you calculate the center of mass in a two dimensional collision?

The center of mass in a two dimensional collision can be calculated by finding the weighted average of the positions of the objects involved, where the weight is the mass of each object. The formula for calculating the center of mass is (m1x1 + m2x2) / (m1 + m2), where m is the mass and x is the position in the x-direction.

5. What is the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions in two dimensions?

In an elastic collision, the total kinetic energy of the objects involved is conserved, while in an inelastic collision, some kinetic energy is lost and converted into other forms such as heat or sound. In two dimensional collisions, this means that the objects involved in an elastic collision will bounce off each other and separate, while in an inelastic collision, they will stick together or deform upon impact.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
228
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
973
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
825
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
893
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
Back
Top