Calculating the height after an elastic collision

1 reply · 4K views · last reply
bna10
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A ball of mass 100 g is projected straight up with a speed of 5 m/s from the floor. Another ball of mass 50 g is hung from the ceiling by a light string at a height of 1.00 m directly above the first ball, so that the projected ball collides elastically with it. Calculate the height above the floor to which the smaller ball will rise.


Homework Equations


1/2 M1V1i^2 = 1/2 M1V1f^2 + 1/2 M2V2f^2


The Attempt at a Solution


When I use the equation above it gives me two unknown variables V1f and V2f (after the collision). but I don't know what equation to use to figure out Δy.
 
Attachments
  • Diagram of a 100 g ball on the floor moving upward at 5 m/s, and a 50 g ball hanging by a string from the ceiling 1.00 m above the floor, directly above it.
    Screen Shot 2013-06-30 at 8.10.23 PM.png
    9.7 KB · Views: 633
You're using conservation of energy. Energy is not the only thing conserved in elastic collisions. In fact, the thing I'm thinking of is conserved even in inelastic collisions.