Calculating Final Velocities in an Elastic Collision on an Air Track

AI Thread Summary
In an elastic collision between two gliders on an air track, the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy must be applied to determine the final velocities. The first glider, weighing 0.147 g and moving at 0.870 m/s, collides with a second glider of 0.292 g moving at 2.20 m/s. To find the final velocities, two equations are set up: one for momentum and another for kinetic energy. The challenge lies in solving these two equations with two unknowns, which can be complex but is achievable. Understanding both conservation laws is essential for accurately calculating the final speeds of the gliders after the collision.
stevethepirat
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Homework Statement


A 0.147 glider is moving to the right on a frictionless, horizontal air track with a speed of 0.870 . It has a head-on collision with a 0.292 glider that is moving to the left with a speed of 2.20 . Suppose the collision is elastic. What is the magnitude of the final velocity of both
carts after the collision?

Homework Equations



M1U1+M2U2=M1V1+M2V2

The Attempt at a Solution


I can setup the equation and determine the direction both carts are traveling after the collision but with 2 unknowns for the final speeds I don't know how to find the exact speed each is traveling after the collision.
 
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If th collision is perfectly elastic, there is a 2nd equation you can use. What else is conserved besides momentum in an elastic collision?
 
Wouldn't Kinetic energy also be conserved?
 
stevethepirat said:
Wouldn't Kinetic energy also be conserved?
yes, sure
 
ok so I would set the initial kinetic energy equal to the final kinetic energy and solve for the velocity right?
 
stevethepirat said:
ok so I would set the initial kinetic energy equal to the final kinetic energy and solve for the velocity right?
you'd have to sove the 2 equations with 2 unknowns for the velocities...as I recall, it is a little tricky..but nonetheless, solvable.
 

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