2D Momentum Question on pool balls

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a physics problem involving the momentum of two pool balls during a collision. Ball A is initially at rest while ball B moves north at 4.5 m/s, and after the collision, ball B moves at 1.6 m/s at an angle of 20 degrees east of north. The initial momentum is calculated as 0.765 kg m/s, while the final momentum for ball B is determined to be 0.272 kg m/s. Participants clarify that the north components of momentum must equal the initial momentum of ball B, and there is confusion regarding the use of sine and cosine functions for the angle. Ultimately, the correct approach to solving for the velocity of ball A is emphasized, noting that the total momentum in the system must remain constant.
SpyIsCake
Messages
14
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Standard pool balls have a mass of 0.17kg. Before a collision, ball A is at rest and ball B is traveling at 4.5 m/s [N]. After the collision, ball B is traveling at 1.6 m/s [N20E]. What is the velocity of ball A?

Homework Equations


pinitial = pfinal
m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1 + m2v2

The Attempt at a Solution


I believe that the initial momentum would be 0.17 * 4.5 m/s = 0.765kg m/s [N].
The momentum for B is 1.6 * 0.17 = 0.272
The initial momentum has to equal the final momentum, so:

0.765kg/m/s = 0.272 + A

I drew a triangle for B's angle.

For X component: 0.272 cos 20 deg = 0.255
For Y component: 0.272 sin 20 deg = 0.09

The X component will just be 0.255 [W] because the X component is 0.
The Y component will have to be the difference between 0.765 and 0.09302, because you need the north to have the same momentum. The answer to that is 0.7168.

Then I plug them all in and use Pythagorean theorem to find the momentum, which was 0.76 kg m/s.
I divide that by the mass of 0.17kg and got a velocity of 4.2 m/s.

But unfortunately, the answer is 3 m/s.

How?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
SpyIsCake said:
The Y component will have to be the difference between 0.765 and 0.09302, because you need the north to have the same momentum. The answer to that is 0.7168.
The North components do not have to have the same momentum. The total momentum in the system cannot change.
 
SpyIsCake said:

Homework Statement


Standard pool balls have a mass of 0.17kg. Before a collision, ball A is at rest and ball B is traveling at 4.5 m/s [N]. After the collision, ball B is traveling at 1.6 m/s [N20E]. What is the velocity of ball A?

Homework Equations


pinitial = pfinal
m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1 + m2v2

The Attempt at a Solution


I believe that the initial momentum would be 0.17 * 4.5 m/s = 0.765kg m/s [N].
The momentum for B is 1.6 * 0.17 = 0.272
The initial momentum has to equal the final momentum, so:

0.765kg/m/s = 0.272 + A
This last statement is not correct. The north component of B's momentum (i.e. mv(cos(20)) + the north component of A's momentum has to equal B's initial momentum. I think you are also assuming that this is an elastic collision. You cannot assume that.
AM
 
You may have cos and sin switched over. N20E is 20 degrees E of N, so if you are taking the positive X axis as E then the X component will involve sin of 20 degrees.
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top