Collision of Spheres: Equal Acceleration?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison of two collision scenarios involving three spheres of equal mass. One scenario involves a collision with a sphere possessing linear momentum, while the other involves a sphere with angular momentum. Participants explore whether the stationary object experiences the same acceleration in both cases.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the stationary object has the same acceleration in collisions with a sphere having linear momentum (3 m/sec) and a sphere with angular momentum (1 radian/sec, radius = 3m).
  • Another participant suggests using conservation of momentum and angular momentum to analyze the collisions, noting that the effects may differ due to the involvement of angular momentum.
  • A participant emphasizes the importance of defining angular momentum concerning a specific point, raising questions about the nature of the motion in each case.
  • It is mentioned that friction could affect the outcome, with a claim that without friction, rotation may not influence the results.
  • One participant provides a detailed scenario involving non-spinning billiard balls, questioning if the acceleration of a stationary ball is equal after collisions in both cases.
  • Another participant argues that the historical trajectory of the moving ball is irrelevant in inelastic collisions, asserting that initial and final conditions are what matter for determining effects.
  • There is a clarification regarding the common assumption that angular momentum refers to a rotation axis through the center of mass of the body.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the stationary object experiences the same acceleration in both collision scenarios. There is no consensus on the effects of angular momentum versus linear momentum in these collisions.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of defining acceleration during collisions and the potential impact of friction on the outcomes. The discussion includes various assumptions about the nature of the collisions and the definitions of momentum.

Point Conception
Gold Member
Messages
1,157
Reaction score
1,866
If 3 spheres have equal masses and the stationary object is in a collision
with a sphere with linear momentum . p= mv and linear speed 3m/sec
And in the second case the collision with the stationary object is with a sphere with angular momentum L = rxp
With angular speed 1 radian/ sec , radius = 3m.
Does the stationary object in these two collisions have the same acceleration ?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org


You'd want to try each case using conservation of momentum, and angular momentum.
In general, if angular, as well as linear, momentum is involved, the effects of the collision will not be the same as for linear momentum alone.
 


Simon Bridge said:
You'd want to try each case using conservation of momentum, and angular momentum.
In general, if angular, as well as linear, momentum is involved, the effects of the collision will not be the same as for linear momentum alone.

Case #1 is an object at rest in a collision with an object with linear momentum p= mv
Case #2 is the same object at rest in a collision with an object with angular momentum L = rxp
My question is whether the object at rest in both of these separate collisions is
accelerated equally . All three objects have same mass. Case#1, object with linear speed 3m/sec
Case #2, object with angular speed 1 radian/sec. radius = 3m.
note: the underlying question is whether the stationary object is accelerated more in
the collision with object with angular momentum ?
 


morrobay said:
Case #1 is an object at rest in a collision with an object with linear momentum p= mv
Case #2 is the same object at rest in a collision with an object with angular momentum L = rxp
How do you define your angular momentum, in respect to what point?
In case A there is also angular momentum, in respect to any point which is not on the ball's trajectory. And in case 2 there is linear momentum as well.
What is different in case 2? Is the ball spinning?
 


It depends on friction and, in the case of nonzero friction, on the collision point.
Without friction, the rotation does not change anything.
 


Consider 3 non-spinning billiard balls of equal masses:
#1 is moving in translational motion on the x-axis , v = 3m/sec , p=mv
#2 is at rest on x-axis at x=3m
#3 is in uniform circular motion in xy plane on a frictionless track at 3m from the origin, x0y0 L = rxp
In collision #1 there is one dimensional elastic collision at x =3m
So after collision v2 = (2m1/m1+m2)v1 , v2 for billiard ball #2
In collision # 2 the orbiting billiard ball is in collision with stationary billiard at x=3m y = 0
The linear speed of billiard ball in circular motion , v = ωr, (1 radian/sec ) (3m) = 3m/sec
So I am asking if the acceleration of the stationary billiard ball after collision in these two separate cases is equal ?
 
Last edited:


I don't see the relevance of the historic trajectory of ball #3. In the case of non-spinning billiard balls and inelastic collisions, all that ever matters are the initial/final masses/velocities. The two collisions will produce the same effect since these conditions are identical (apart from the orientation). Acceleration is not usually considered because it gets tricky to define a time interval of the interaction, and most of the time, all we need to use is conservation of momentum.

I'd also add that when you discuss angular momentum in the context of collisions, it is commonly assumed that you're referring to an axis of rotation which passes through the centre of mass of the body, ie. it's spinning. From the replies so far it seems that this is what everyone has understood of your question.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 138 ·
5
Replies
138
Views
9K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K