Resulting directions and velocities of two circles colliding

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the resulting x and y velocities of two colliding circles of equal mass and size in a two-dimensional plane. The user seeks a formula to derive these velocities based on the original velocities and coordinates at the point of collision. Key insights include the use of vector mathematics and the principle of conservation of momentum, as well as references to elastic collision equations found on Wikipedia. The user successfully derived initial vectors but struggles with converting these to specific x and y velocities post-collision.

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  • Understanding of vector mathematics and its application in physics
  • Familiarity with the principles of conservation of momentum
  • Knowledge of elastic collision equations in two dimensions
  • Basic proficiency in manipulating equations involving x and y coordinates
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  • Study the elastic collision equations for two-dimensional collisions on Wikipedia
  • Learn how to apply conservation of momentum to two-body collisions
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Homework Statement



I am trying to find the resulting x and y velocities when two moving circles (particles) which are exactly the same in mass and size and are in the same plane, collide, given the x and y velocities and coordinates of the two particles.

What is the formula for the resulting x and y velocities given the original x and y velocities and the coordinates of the circles at the exact point when the circles meet?

Homework Equations



The following formulas show the math for two particles using vectors and given the mass, but I don't know the mass off the particles, just that they are the same. Also, I am confused on how to convert vectors in a general formula to x- and y-velocities.

elastic_collision_18.png


The kinetic energy is below, I don't know if this helps:

elastic_collision_19.png


The Attempt at a Solution



Using the above formulas, and assigning a generic mass of 1g, I obtained two vectors which seemed to work. But how can I convert this to x- and y-coordinates in a formula?

Thanks for helping!
 
Last edited:
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Thanks, Spinnor. I see that if we add, say, the original x-velocities together, we get the sum x-velocity of both of the circles. However, the circles do not move the same direction after they collide. I am having trouble deriving the addends (the final x-velocities for each). For example, can find SOME NUMBER in this:

x1 + x2 = SOME NUMBER.

But how do I find x1 given this?
 

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