Calculating Velocities After Reflection

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the components of a particle's velocity after it reflects off a triangular surface in three-dimensional space. Participants explore the necessary information and methods to determine the post-reflection velocity components while maintaining the overall velocity constant.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario involving a particle with known velocity components colliding with a triangular surface and seeks to find the reflected velocity components.
  • The participant mentions the use of a normal vector derived from the triangle's vertices to determine the reflection angle.
  • Another participant suggests that the original poster might consider posting in the homework section for additional assistance.
  • A different participant expresses confusion about the need for more information beyond the angle of impact to solve the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the necessary information or methods for solving the problem, indicating multiple competing views and unresolved aspects of the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks clarity on the assumptions regarding the reflection process and the specific mathematical methods to be employed, such as the potential use of trigonometric functions.

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So here's my problem... I have a particle traveling at velocity T, Vt, with components Velocity x, Velocity y, and Velocity z (3 dimensions).
This particle collides with a triangular surface. Each point of the triangle is known (x y and z for each point)
I would like to find the components of the velocity after the particle reflects off the triangle surface. (no velocity is lost so Vt remains the same)
Knowing these three points I found a vector that follows the normal angle off the surface.
You could take this vector and find the normal angle.

Known Variables:
Vt, Overall velocity
Vx, Vy, Vz, velocity components of Vt
P1, P2, P3, points of triangle (x,y,z)
Normal Vector off the surface (x,y and z components)

You could possibly find the normal angles for Z and XY, but if there's a way to do it without Sin, Cos, Tan, it would make things much easier.

Any help is appreciated as I've been stuck on this for a long time.
 
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You could try the homework section. They might be able to help you there.
 
Yeah I suppose I could. This isn't for homework, but oh well
 
Yeah, I would help you if I could, but I'm still confused on why you need any more information other than the angle of impact.
 

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