Air Track Elastic Collision: Solving for Final Velocities

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving for the final velocities of two gliders involved in an elastic collision on a frictionless air track. The first glider has a mass of 0.159 kg and an initial speed of 0.870 m/s, while the second glider has a mass of 0.310 kg and moves at 2.15 m/s in the opposite direction. Participants emphasize the importance of conserving both kinetic energy and momentum during the calculations. The original poster expresses frustration over incorrect answers and requests assistance in setting up the equations correctly. The thread encourages detailed explanations of the solution process to identify errors.
Adel A
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Homework Statement


A 0.159kg glider is moving to the right on a frictionless, horizontal air track with a speed of 0.870m/s . It has a head-on collision with a 0.310kg glider that is moving to the left with a speed of 2.15m/s . Suppose the collision is elastic.

a) Find the magnitude of the final velocity of the 0.159kg glider.

b) Find the magnitude of the final velocity of the 0.310kg glider.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that both the kinetic energy and the momentum is preserved, and I have "constructed" both the equations, but I can't get the right answer!

Here are my previous answers (which were wrong):
Part A:
2.1752
1.7161
1.1262
0.4295

Part B:
0.5899
0.4295
0.2

Thanks!
 
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Adel A said:
I know that both the kinetic energy and the momentum is preserved, and I have "constructed" both the equations, but I can't get the right answer!
Show how you set up the equations and how you solved them.

Adel A said:
Here are my previous answers (which were wrong):
Part A:
2.1752
1.7161
1.1262
0.4295
Don't just give a list of answers. Show how you got them. That way we can see where you are going wrong.
 
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