A Calculate velocity of streams impinging at differing angles

  • Thread starter Thread starter rdemyan
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Momentum
Click For Summary
Two streams with known mass flow rates and velocities collide elastically, resulting in forward and backward flows. The calculated velocities from momentum and energy balances do not match, indicating a potential conceptual misunderstanding. The discussion highlights that in a fully elastic collision, the streams should not simply combine and move along the x-axis but may also have components in the y-direction. The final directions of the streams after collision are debated, with suggestions that they should reflect the momentum of the incoming streams. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurately modeling the interaction to ensure conservation of both momentum and energy.
  • #31
A.T. said:
You can always transform into a reference frame, where the fluid in one of the incoming streams is initially at rest, while the fluid in the other stream initially moves along one axis only. Then you solve the (potentially simpler) problem there, and transform the resulting outgoing velocities back to the original frame.

Just don't confuse the direction of the velocity of the fluid in a stream with the orientation of the stream. They are parallel in your original frame, but not necessarily in other frames.
I'm going to try to switch to the zero momentum frame of reference. Should I start a new thread as I am definitely going to need help?
 

Similar threads

I Solving a momentum problem where masses change after the collision
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
I Determine angle of initial momentum in zero reference frame
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Calculate the speed and angle of the center of mass before a collision
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
955
Calculate velocities in COM reference frame for 2D collision
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
1K
The Relationship Between Masses and Angles in a Pulley System
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
A special case of the grand canonical ensemble
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
I Gravitational potential of an ellipsoid
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
What is the significance of the grand partition function in an Einstein solid?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
B Alternative elastic collision formula / physical interpretation
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
A Problem evaluating an anticommutator in supersymmetric quantum mechanics
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K