Collision of Equal Mass Hockey Pucks

In summary, two hockey pucks of equal mass undergo a collision on a hockey rink. One puck is initially at rest, while the other is moving with a speed of 5.4 m/s. After the collision, the velocities of the pucks make angles of 33° and 46° relative to the original velocity of the moving puck. The concept involved is the conservation of momentum. The x-components of the velocity of the pucks after the collision cannot be determined solely based on the equal mass of the pucks, as the total momentum in the x-direction is conserved.
  • #1
chudzoik
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Homework Statement


Two hockey pucks of equal mass undergo a collision on a hockey rink. One puck is initially at rest, while the other is moving with a speed of 5.4 m/s. After the collision, the velocities of the picks make angles of 33° and 46° relative to the original velocity of the moving puck. Determine the speed of each puck after the collision.

I just need a confirmation of the concepts involved. Since the pucks are of equal mass, does that mean that the velocity of the first puck becomes distributed evenly between the two pucks? So would the x-components of the velocity of the pucks after the collision both be 2.7 m/s?
 
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  • #2
chudzoik said:

Homework Statement


Two hockey pucks of equal mass undergo a collision on a hockey rink. One puck is initially at rest, while the other is moving with a speed of 5.4 m/s. After the collision, the velocities of the picks make angles of 33° and 46° relative to the original velocity of the moving puck. Determine the speed of each puck after the collision.

I just need a confirmation of the concepts involved. Since the pucks are of equal mass, does that mean that the velocity of the first puck becomes distributed evenly between the two pucks? So would the x-components of the velocity of the pucks after the collision both be 2.7 m/s?

Not in general. What's conserved is momentum. The total momentum in the x-direction will be conserved, as will the total momentum in the y-direction.
 

1. What is the definition of a collision of equal mass hockey pucks?

A collision of equal mass hockey pucks occurs when two hockey pucks of the same mass collide with each other, resulting in a transfer of momentum and energy between the two pucks.

2. How does the speed of the hockey pucks affect the collision?

The speed of the hockey pucks plays a significant role in the collision. If the pucks are traveling at the same speed, the collision will be perfectly elastic, meaning that both pucks will maintain their initial speed and direction after the collision. If one puck is traveling faster than the other, the collision will be partially elastic, and some energy will be lost.

3. What factors affect the outcome of a collision between equal mass hockey pucks?

The outcome of a collision between equal mass hockey pucks can be affected by various factors, such as the speed and angle of approach of the pucks, the surface material and texture of the pucks, and any external forces acting on the pucks during the collision.

4. Can a collision of equal mass hockey pucks result in a perfectly inelastic collision?

Yes, a collision of equal mass hockey pucks can result in a perfectly inelastic collision if the pucks stick together after the collision and move as one object with a common velocity. This can happen if the pucks have a high coefficient of restitution, meaning they are highly deformable and absorb most of the energy during the collision.

5. How is momentum conserved in a collision of equal mass hockey pucks?

According to the law of conservation of momentum, the total momentum of a system remains constant in the absence of external forces. In a collision of equal mass hockey pucks, the total momentum of the system before and after the collision will be the same, but it may be distributed differently between the two pucks. This is because momentum is conserved, but energy may be transferred or lost during the collision.

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