2 dimensional collision confusion

AI Thread Summary
In a perfectly elastic collision involving a 2 kg mass and a 3 kg mass, the initial velocities are given as v1 = (5i + 7j) and v2 = (-1i - 3j). The problem requires determining the speed of the 3 kg mass and the angle of the 2 kg mass after the collision, with the 2 kg mass having a speed of √50 m/s and the 3 kg mass traveling at an angle of 329.77 degrees. The discussion emphasizes the need to separately calculate kinetic energy and momentum for both the x and y coordinates, as both quantities are vectorial in nature. The participant seeks clarification on setting up the equations correctly, confirming that three equations for initial values and three for final values will be necessary, with the final equations containing two unknowns. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding vector components in the context of two-dimensional collisions.
NKC
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Homework Statement


A 2 kg mass with initial velocity v = (5i + 7j) collides perfectly elastically with a 3 kg
mass with initial velocity v = (-1i -3j) After the collision, the 2kg mass has a speed of
√50 m/s and the 3 kg mass is traveling at an angle of 329.77Θ as measured from the positive x
axis. Determine the speed of the 3 kg mass after the collision and the angle of the 2 kg mass
after the collision (as measured from the positive x axis).
i and j are the x and y-axis respectively.

Homework Equations


P = MV
KE = 0.5MV^2
A*B = XYCosΘ

The Attempt at a Solution


Initial:
KEm1 = 0.5(2)(5i + 7j)^2
KEm2 = 0.5(3(-1i - 3j)^2
Pm1 = 2(5i + 7j)
Pm2 = 3(-1i - 3j)
Final:
KEm1 = 0.5(2)(√50)^2 Cosø
KEm2 = 0.5(3)V^2 Cos(329.77)
Pm1 = 2(√50)
Pm2 = 3V
I know that initial momentum and KE of the system should equal the final momentum and KE of the system, but I can't figure out how to set that up with a 2 dimensional collision. Normally it would be KEi = KEf and Pi = Pf, but with i and j coordinators I can't figure out how to make that work. Should KE and P for the y coordinate and the x coordinate be calculated separately?
 
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NKC said:
Should KE and P for the y coordinate and the x coordinate be calculated separately?

Yes.
 
Qube said:
Yes.
Yes to both KE and Momentum? I thought kinetic energy didn't have a direction being a scalar.
 
So you answer your own question. "Should KE and P for the y coordinate and the x coordinate be calculated separately?": Yes on three counts: KE, px and Py.
 
BvU said:
So you answer your own question. "Should KE and P for the y coordinate and the x coordinate be calculated separately?": Yes on three counts: KE, px and Py.
Just to be clear, that leaves me with 3 equations for initial values, and 3 for final values right?
 
Yes. The initial ones have no unknowns, the final ones 2.

You will have to do something about the final ones: where do the cosines in the KE come from ? And why aren't the P vectors instead of numbers ?
 
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