Absolutely central elastic collision (or translate lying)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving an absolutely central elastic collision between two balls of different masses. The original poster presents the masses and initial velocities of the balls, seeking to calculate their speeds after the collision.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the conservation laws relevant to elastic collisions, questioning the connections between the equations and the original poster's attempts. There are discussions about the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy, with some participants expressing confusion about the setup and the necessary equations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on the conservation laws and encouraging the original poster to refer to their textbook. There is recognition of the need to understand the equations involved, but no consensus has been reached on the specific steps to take next.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions language barriers and missed classes, which may contribute to their difficulties in understanding the problem. There is also a note about the correct terminology for the type of collision being discussed.

Gustavs1337
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Homework Statement


2 balls, their size is the same but mass is different, they are going towards a collision. I do not know what is the word for it in english but its like this m1= 1,2m2. Speed of the balls are v1=12m/s and v2= 15m/s.Calculate the speed of each ball after absolutely central elastic collision.

Homework Equations


p=mv
p=p,

The Attempt at a Solution


I could not even think of a solution since I missed out some classes.
 
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What's conserved in an elastic collision?
 
I don't see the connection between the relevant equations and the attempt at solution ?
 
Doc Al said:
What's conserved in an elastic collision?

BvU said:
I don't see the connection between the relevant equations and the attempt at solution ?
yes all i can write is p1= 1,2m2 x 12 = 14,4m2 but i can't get past this part, the p= p, is just a reminder for me. And i think that its kinetic energy that's being conserved.
 
Gustavs1337 said:
the p= p, is just a reminder for me.
It should remind you that momentum is conserved.

Gustavs1337 said:
And i think that its kinetic energy that's being conserved.
Right.

So combine those two conservation laws.
 
Its going to be hard since english is not my born language. so i couldn't figure it out so i looked on the internet and this is what i got K = 1/2m(p/m)2= p2/2m
 
Gustavs1337 said:
Its going to be hard since english is not my born language. so i couldn't figure it out so i looked on the internet and this is what i got K = 1/2m(p/m)2= p2/2m
That's just expressing the kinetic energy in terms of momentum instead of velocity. That won't help you.

You need to write equations for:
  • conservation of energy
  • conservation of momentum
I assume you have a textbook. I suspect it gives examples of this sort of collision.
 
As I said before I missed out on some classes, they were doing the similar but easier tasks and I did not ask for their notes so that is my fault. Conservation of momentum is m1xdv1=-m2xdv2 as it says. And Energy i don't know that, or maybe its because of the differences in language.
 
Gustavs1337 said:
Conservation of momentum is m1xdv1=-m2xdv2 as it says.
There are four velocities involved: The initial and final velocities of each object.

Gustavs1337 said:
And Energy i don't know that, or maybe its because of the differences in language.
I don't think language has much to do with it. :smile:

Again, check your textbook.

And read this: Wiki: Elastic Collisions in one dimension
 
  • #10
Doc Al said:
There are four velocities involved: The initial and final velocities of each object.
so you mean i should do it like this ?
e963c8486037693393e095efaa207565.png
or this
0500891e166dc265e76febfa8a06a8bf.png
? And about that energy, i could not find anything but Ek= Ek'. There is also this ∑p = constant but i doubt it, also Ek= mv2/2 but also i doubt that. Only equation that i think would be right is the first one. :/. I have something to add
m1v1 + m2v2 =[m1+m2]v3 mayb e this
 
Last edited:
  • #11
Both conservation equations are given in that Wiki link. They even solve them for you!
 
  • #12
Doc Al said:
Both conservation equations are given in that Wiki link. They even solve them for you!
so basically
d764d6a70dd21fb0a5a801f5b0e6e10a.png
this is the momentum equation as it says and this
7901fde5f0d74ca583013c3f86135133.png
is energy equation.
and i get
ab6645eaf09c6da1ba47b0f662615140.png

e0fa187fc3065bad45710620be5f7687.png
by combining them ?
 
  • #13
That's correct. (But you'd better understand how to solve those equations.)
 
  • #14
You want me to put numbers in those equations or understand how i got the combinations, i have a hard time understanding what comes next.
 
  • #15
Gustavs1337 said:
You want me to put numbers in those equations or understand how i got the combinations, i have a hard time understanding what comes next.
Yes, just plug the numbers in.
By the way, the correct translation is probably "head-on elastic collision", i.e. the mass centres, direction of relative motion and point of impact are all in a straight line.
 

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