Conservation of momentum + elastic collision

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving the conservation of momentum and elastic collisions. A block of mass 2.20 kg slides down a 30-degree incline and collides with a stationary block of mass 7.00 kg. Participants clarify that both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved in elastic collisions. The original poster initially struggles with determining the initial velocity of the sliding block but ultimately resolves the problem using both conservation principles. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these fundamental concepts in solving collision-related problems.
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[SOLVED] Conservation of momentum + elastic collision

Hey guys, I couldn't even start this one, tried to think about it, but I'm hitting a blank

A block of mass m = 2.20 [kg] slides down a 30 degrees incline which is 3.60 [m] high. At the bottom, it strikes a block of mass M = 7.00 [kg] which is at rest on a horizontal surface. (Assume a smooth transition at the bottom of the incline.) If the collision is elastic, and friction can be ignored, determine A) the speeds of the two blocks after the collision and B) how far back up the incline the smaller mass will go.


know: m = 2.20kg
theta = 30 degrees
h = 3.60m
M = 7.00 kg

Ok so I don't understand how to find the velocity when the blocks start. I know that the collision in elastic so momentum is conserved, but should I use conservation of energy or dynamics to solve for it?


Any help would be great. Thank you!
 
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Return said:
I know that the collision in elastic so momentum is conserved, but should I use conservation of energy or dynamics to solve for it?

Hi Return! :smile:

No … all collisions conserve momentum.

"elastic" means that energy is conserved also.

Does that help? :smile:
 
lol oh yea, that's a slap in the head ty for the reminder

I got this one over lunch, so looks like I'm good, used a combination of conservation of momentum and conservation of energy.
 
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