2D Momentum and Collisions Lab Help Grade 12

[Ranjan1995]

Homework Statement

For a lab, I have performed a completely inelastic collision using 2 masses. One mass is 0.583 kg, and the other is the unknown we have to find. Using an air table, I was given the dots to show the movements of the objects as they intersect and them move together. I have broken them into components and solved for the velocity and the momentum for each. Well, that's where the problem is:

Momentum of the known mass:

m1v1 = p1
m1x(v1x) = p1x
m1y(v1y) = p1y

Same thing for the second mass, except it is m2, an unknown.

When they move together, I know the mass will be the total (m1 + m2, which i state as m3) and the velocity will also be something else, v3.

Now, the problem:

I am trying to do m1v1 + m2v2 = m3v3 to find the unknown mass Question is, how would i rearrange the equation to find this m2.

Homework Equations

mv = p
1/2mv^2

The Attempt at a Solution

I am just trying with the 'x' component for the example:

m1 = 0.583 kg
v1x = 0.18 m/s [E]

m2 = unknown
v2x = 0.29 m/s [W]

m3 = m1 + m2
v3x = 0.05 m/s [W]

m1v1 + m2v2 = m3v3

How can i find this mass, it cancels out the moment I bring one of the m2's to the other side , I am I making some mistake here? I know it may not seem like I did any work, but I have pages of work getting to this part haha.

 

[fishspawned]

what else could you call m3?

 

[Ranjan1995]

m3 is (m1 + m2)

 

[fishspawned]

i think you should show your work so far. there is no reason anything should cancel out.

 

[Ranjan1995]

I got it, thanks.