Elastic Collision: Calculate the Percent Change in KE

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an elastic collision between a cue ball and a billiard ball, where the cue ball has a mass of 0.26 kg and an initial velocity of 1.2 m/s, while the billiard ball has a mass of 0.15 kg and is initially at rest. The goal is to determine the percentage of the initial kinetic energy that is transferred to the billiard ball.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy equations needed to solve for the final velocities of both balls. There are attempts to derive equations based on the initial conditions and conservation laws.
  • Some participants question the assumptions regarding the direction of velocities post-collision and whether the collision is one-dimensional.
  • There are suggestions to check for simpler equations applicable to one-dimensional elastic collisions to ease the algebra involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different methods to approach the problem. Some have provided guidance on using conservation equations, while others express confusion about the algebraic manipulations and the implications of their assumptions. There is no explicit consensus on the final velocities or the percentage of kinetic energy transferred, but various interpretations and methods are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the algebra involved and the potential for mistakes in calculations. There is also mention of the need for practice with algebra and physics concepts, indicating varying levels of confidence among participants.

arizona1379
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Homework Statement



A 0.26 kg cue ball with a velocity 1.2 m/s collides elastically with a 0.15 kg billiard ball at rest.
What percentage of the initial kinetic energy is transferred to the billiard?

m1= 0.26kg
Vi1= 1.2 m/s
Vf1= ?
m2= 0.15kg
Vi2= 0 m/s
Vf2= ?

Homework Equations



(m1v2+m2v2)i=(m1v2+m2v2)f

ΔKE= ((.5)(m1)(Vi1)2+(.5)(m2)(Vi2)2)i -((.5)(m1)(Vf1)2+(.5)(m2)(Vf2)2)f

%ΔKE= 100(F-I/I)

The Attempt at a Solution



(0.26kg)(1.2m/s)+0=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(-vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(-vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)-(0.26kg)(-vf1)= (0.15kg)(-vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1)= (-0.15kg)(vf2)
((0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1))/(-0.15kg)=(vf2)

(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)[[(0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1)]/(-0.15kg)]
(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)-[(0.312 kg m/s)]-[(0.26kg)(vf1)]
(0.624 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)-[(0.26kg)(vf1)]
(0.624 kg m/s)=(-0.52vf1)
vf1= -1.2 m/s

((0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(-1.2 m/s))/(-0.15kg)=(vf2)
((0.312 kg m/s)+(-0.312 kg m/s))/(-0.15kg)=(vf2)
0=vf2

ΔKE= ((.5)(0.26kg)(1.2 m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(0 m/s)2)i -((.5)(0.26kg)(Vf1)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(Vf2)2)f

The answer is suppose to be 93%
 
Last edited:
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arizona1379 said:
(m1v2+m2v2)i=(m1v2+m2v2)f
That's one of the equations you'll need. Since you have two unknowns, you'll need a second equation. Besides momentum, what else is conserved?

The Attempt at a Solution



(0.26kg)(1.2m/s)+0=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(-vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(-vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)-(0.26kg)(-vf1)= (0.15kg)(-vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1)= (-0.15kg)(vf2)
((0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1))/(-0.15kg)=(vf2)

(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)[[(0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1)]/(-0.15kg)]
(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)-[(0.312 kg m/s)]-[(0.26kg)(vf1)]
(0.624 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)-[(0.26kg)(vf1)]
(0.624 kg m/s)=(-0.52vf1)
vf1= -1.2 m/s
You must have made a mistake somewhere. There's no way to solve for either final speed without using a second equation.
 
Doc Al said:
That's one of the equations you'll need. Since you have two unknowns, you'll need a second equation. Besides momentum, what else is conserved?


You must have made a mistake somewhere. There's no way to solve for either final speed without using a second equation.

Oh so I need to use ΔKE equation.

((.5)(m1)(Vi1)2+(.5)(m2)(Vi2)2)i = ((.5)(m1)(Vf1)2+(.5)(m2)(Vf2)2)f

and solve for either Vf1 or Vf2 then plug it back into:

(m1v2+m2v2)i=(m1v2+m2v2)f

Find the other final velocity, and then:

ΔKE= ((.5)(m1)(Vi1)2+(.5)(m2)(Vi2)2)i -((.5)(m1)(Vf1)2+(.5)(m2)(Vf2)2)f

%ΔKE= 100(F-I/I)
 
arizona1379 said:
Oh so I need to use ΔKE equation.

((.5)(m1)(Vi1)2+(.5)(m2)(Vi2)2)i = ((.5)(m1)(Vf1)2+(.5)(m2)(Vf2)2)f

and solve for either Vf1 or Vf2 then plug it back into:

(m1v2+m2v2)i=(m1v2+m2v2)f

Find the other final velocity, and then:

ΔKE= ((.5)(m1)(Vi1)2+(.5)(m2)(Vi2)2)i -((.5)(m1)(Vf1)2+(.5)(m2)(Vf2)2)f

%ΔKE= 100(F-I/I)
Good. That should do it.
 
(0.26kg)(1.2m/s)+0=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)-(0.26kg)(-vf1)= (0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1)= (0.15kg)(vf2)
((0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1))/(0.15kg)=(vf2)

((.5)(0.26kg)(1.2m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(0 m/s)2)i = ((.5)(0.26kg)(-Vf1)2+(.5)(0.15)((0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1))/(0.15kg))2)f
(.1872 kg m/s)=((.5)(0.26kg)(-Vf1)2+(.5)(0.15)((0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1))/(0.15kg))2)
(.1872 kg m/s)=(-0.13kg)(vf1)2+(.13kg)[.0974kg m/s)+(0.0676)(vf1)2]/(.0225)

Isn't there a simpler way? Lol
 
((.5)(0.26kg)(1.2 m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(0)2)i = ((.5)(0.26kg)(vf1)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(Vf2)2)f
(0.1872 kg m/s)+0=(0.13kg)(-vf1)2+(0.075kg)(vf2)
(0.1872 kg m/s)+(0.13kg)(vf1)2=(0.075kg)(vf2)2
SQR[(0.1872 kg m/s)+(0.13kg)(vf1)2]/(0.075kg)=vf
(2.895 m/s)(vf1)=VF2

(0.26kg)(1.2m/s)+0=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)((2.895 m/s)(vf1))
(0.312 KG M/S)+(0.26kg)(vf1)=(0.15kg)((2.895 m/s)(vf1))
[(0.312 KG M/S)+(0.26kg)(vf1)]/(0.4343KG M/S)
idk..
 
Last edited:
Yes, there is if the collision is one-dimensional, which it looks like you're assuming here. Check your textbook for a simpler equation you can use for one-dimensional elastic collisions, rather than the conservation-of-kinetic-energy equation. It's simpler because it doesn't have the squared terms, so the algebra is easier to handle.
 
Providing the equation would have been less effort on both our parts. Thank you for the help. :)
 
(0.26kg)(1.2m/s)+0=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)-(0.26kg)(-vf1)= (0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1)= (0.15kg)(vf2)
((0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1))/(0.15kg)=(vf2)

(2.08 m/s)+1.73(vf1)=(vf2)

(1.2 m/s)+vf1=vf2
(2.08 m/s)+1.73(vf1)=(1.2 m/s)(vf1)
(2.08 m/s)=0.69(vf1)
vf1= 3 m/s(2.08 m/s)+1.73(3m/s)=(vf2)
vf2=7.27m/s
ΔKE= (-(.5)(0.26 kg)(3 m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(7.27 m/s)2)f-((.5)(0.26 kg)(1.2m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(0)2)i
=-1.17+3.96J-0.1872J
=2.60J

(100x2.60J)/-1.17J+3.96J= 93%

This better be right. GRRRR.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
arizona1379 said:
vf1= 3 m/s

This better be right. GRRRR.
I might be mistaken, but I have studied that fv final velocity can never be more than 2iv
if vi1 = 1.2 vf1 should not exceed 2.4, do you agree?
 
  • #11
Yeah I guess I need practice. I am having a hard time finding a good example. I haven't had math in a while so my algebra isn't very strong.
 
  • #12
arizona1379 said:
Providing the equation would have been less effort on both our parts. Thank you for the help. :)
I figured you could use practice finding stuff in your book. :wink:

I get ##v_{1f} = 0.322\text{ m/s}## and ##v_{2f} = 1.52\text{ m/s}##. Check your sign convention for ##v_{1f}##. You're not being consistent.
 
  • #13
How could both of my final velocities be positive if they are traveling in two different directions after collision?
 
  • #14
How do you know they're traveling in different directions after the collision?
 
  • #15
arizona1379 said:
(0.26kg)(1.2m/s)+0=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)-(0.26kg)(-vf1)= (0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1)= (0.15kg)(vf2)
((0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1))/(0.15kg)=(vf2)

(2.08 m/s)+1.73(vf1)=(vf2)

(1.2 m/s)+vf1=vf2
(2.08 m/s)+1.73(vf1)=(1.2 m/s)(vf1)
(2.08 m/s)=0.69(vf1)
vf1= 3 m/s


(2.08 m/s)+1.73(3m/s)=(vf2)
vf2=7.27m/s
ΔKE= (-(.5)(0.26 kg)(3 m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(7.27 m/s)2)f-((.5)(0.26 kg)(1.2m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(0)2)i
=-1.17+3.96J-0.1872J
=2.60J

(100x2.60J)/-1.17J+3.96J= 93%

This better be right. GRRRR.

(0.26kg)(1.2m/s)+0=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)-(0.26kg)(-vf1)= (0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1)= (0.15kg)(vf2)
((0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1))/(0.15kg)=(vf2)

(2.08 m/s)+1.73(vf1)=(vf2)

(v1-v2)i=(v2-v1)f
1.2-(vf1)=vf2
(1.2 m/s)-vf1=vf2

(2.08 m/s)+1.73(vf1)=(1.2 m/s)-(vf1)
(2.08 m/s)+2.73(vf1)=(1.2 m/s)
2.73(vf1)=-0.88 m/s
2.73(vf1)/(2.73 m/s)=-0.88 m/s/(2.73m/s)
vf1=-0.32 m/s)


(2.08 m/s)+1.73(-0.32m/s)=(vf2)
vf2=1.52 m/s

ΔKE= (-(.5)(0.26 kg)(-0.32 m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(1.52 m/s)2)f-((.5)(0.26 kg)(1.2m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(0)2)i
=-0.0133+.1732J-0.1872J
= ?

(100x2.60J)/-1.17J+3.96J= 93%
 
  • #16
vela said:
How do you know they're traveling in different directions after the collision?

How do I know that they are not? Lol

I guess I just assumed that it's not a glancing collision. I thought the two balls bounce off each other in opposite directions, so the vf1 would be negative. No angles were given.
 
Last edited:
  • #17
arizona1379 said:
(0.26kg)(1.2m/s)+0=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)=(0.26kg)(-vf1)+(0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)-(0.26kg)(-vf1)= (0.15kg)(vf2)
(0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1)= (0.15kg)(vf2)
((0.312 kg m/s)+(0.26kg)(vf1))/(0.15kg)=(vf2)

(2.08 m/s)+1.73(vf1)=(vf2)

(v1-v2)i=(v2-v1)f
1.2-(vf1)=vf2
(1.2 m/s)-vf1=vf2

(2.08 m/s)+1.73(vf1)=(1.2 m/s)-(vf1)
(2.08 m/s)+2.73(vf1)=(1.2 m/s)
2.73(vf1)=-0.88 m/s
2.73(vf1)/(2.73 m/s)=-0.88 m/s/(2.73m/s)
vf1=-0.32 m/s)


(2.08 m/s)+1.73(-0.32m/s)=(vf2)
vf2=1.52 m/s

ΔKE= (-(.5)(0.26 kg)(-0.32 m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(1.52 m/s)2)f-((.5)(0.26 kg)(1.2m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(0)2)i
=-0.0133+.1732J-0.1872J
= ?

(100x2.60J)/-1.17J+3.96J= 93%

AHA.:smile:

ΔKEcue= ((.5)(0.26 kg)(1.2m/s)2+(.5)(0.15kg)(0)2)i-((.5)(0.26 kg)(-0.32 m/s)2)f
=0.1872J-0.0133J
=.1739J

100(.1739J)/.1872= 93%
 
  • #18
Finalllyyyyyyyy:!)
 
  • #19
arizona1379 said:
How do I know that they are not? Lol

I guess I just assumed that it's not a glancing collision. I thought the two balls bounce off each other in opposite directions, so the vf1 would be negative. No angles were given.
Think about what happens when a bowling ball collides elastically with a ping pong ball at rest. The bowling ball is going to keep moving in the same direction as it was before because it's so much more massive than the ping pong ball. A collision doesn't have to cause the direction of its velocity to change.
 
  • #20
arizona1379 said:
How could both of my final velocities be positive if they are traveling in two different directions after collision?
arizona1379 said:
How do I know that they are not? Lol
.
If the masses are equal the moving mass stops: fv1 = 0,
if the moving mass is smaller it rebounds with max fv1 =≈ 2 iv1
if it is greater it continues in the same direction with max fv1 = ≈ 1 iv1

93.1% is not correct,
you need not find fv1: Ef2/Ei1:
the exact result is 92.8019036287 % (0.34745/0.3744) *100
 
Last edited:
  • #21
:cry:
 
  • #22
arizona1379 said:
Isn't there a simpler way? Lol
arizona1379 said:
:cry:
Cheer up Arizona, when you get more practice you you can find the result in a simple way: 4Mm/(M+m)2:\Delta E = \frac{4*.26*.15}{(.26+.15)^2}
 
Last edited:

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