Collision problems (Conservation of Momentum & Energy)

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on solving collision problems using the principles of conservation of momentum and kinetic energy, specifically in perfectly elastic collisions. The example provided involves two identical billiard balls, where one ball, traveling at 3.00 m/s, collides with a stationary ball, resulting in a deflection of 30.0° for the moving ball. The participant struggles to derive the final velocities of both balls using the equations of momentum and kinetic energy, highlighting the need for a systematic approach to resolve the equations simultaneously.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation laws in physics, specifically momentum and kinetic energy.
  • Familiarity with vector components and trigonometric functions.
  • Ability to solve simultaneous equations.
  • Knowledge of perfectly elastic collisions and their characteristics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of equations for perfectly elastic collisions in two dimensions.
  • Learn how to apply trigonometric identities to resolve vector components in collision problems.
  • Practice solving simultaneous equations involving conservation of momentum and kinetic energy.
  • Explore graphical methods for visualizing collision outcomes and angles.
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and collision theory, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts of momentum and energy conservation in elastic collisions.

Enharmonics
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Hey all, first time poster here. I'm pretty confused about how exactly to use conservation of momentum and kinetic energy to work collision problems, specifically perfectly inelastic collisions (you could probably tell it was that kind, since K is conserved).

I'm actually stuck on two different questions, which is why I decided to post and see if someone here could maybe steer me in the right direction as to how to work these.

1. Homework Statement

A billiard ball traveling at 3.00 m/s collides perfectly elastically with an identical billiard ball initially at rest on the level table. The initially moving billiard ball deflects 30.0° from its original direction. What is the speed of the initially stationary billiard ball after the collision?

So I've got

##V_{1,i} = 3.00 \frac{m}{s} , V_{2,i} = 0 , m_1 = m_2 = m##

Homework Equations



##P_i = P_f , K_i = K_f##

The Attempt at a Solution



Because the initially moving billiard ball deflects 30.0°, I set up my conservation of momentum equation with an X and Y-component, so that

## P_x: m(3.00 \frac{m}{s}) + 0 = mV_{1,f}cos(30.0°) + mV_{2,f,x}##

and

## P_y: 0 = V_{1,f}sin(30.0°) - V_{2,f,y} ##

Of course, the m's in ##P_x## can cancel, since ##m_1 = m_2##. I don't know either the first or second ball's final velocities or even the direction angle at which the second ball ##m_2## moves after the collision. In the diagram I've drawn on my paper I just have the first ball moving along the x-axis and deflecting "upward" at an angle of 30.0°, with the second ball deflecting "downward" at some angle ##\theta##.

I tried using conservation of kinetic energy, but that just leaves me with

##\frac{1}{2}(3.00 \frac{m}{s})^2 + 0 = \frac{1}{2}V_{1,f} + \frac{1}{2}V_{2,f}##

which I can't solve for the target variable V_{2,f} because I only have V_{1,f} in terms of its components. I don't know what to do at this point.

[Mentor note: Second problem removed. Member asked to start a new thread for the second problem]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Enharmonics said:
I tried using conservation of kinetic energy, but that just leaves me with

12(3.00ms)2+0=12V1,f+12V2,f12(3.00ms)2+0=12V1,f+12V2,f\frac{1}{2}(3.00 \frac{m}{s})^2 + 0 = \frac{1}{2}V_{1,f} + \frac{1}{2}V_{2,f}

check the KE equation

in momentum conservation you have two equation relating the velocities; try to find out the velocity relations.
 

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