Conservation of momentum problem?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on a conservation of momentum problem involving two billiard balls. Billiard ball A, with a mass of 0.175 kg and an initial velocity of 1.20 m/s at an angle of 40 degrees south of east, collides with billiard ball B, which has a mass of 0.225 kg and an initial velocity of 0.68 m/s east. After the collision, billiard ball B moves at 0.93 m/s at an angle of 23 degrees south of east. The final velocity of billiard ball A is calculated to be 1.18 m/s in the x-direction and -0.18 m/s in the y-direction, indicating a downward trajectory. The kinetic energy lost during the collision must be calculated separately for each ball using the formula 0.5 * m * v^2.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum principles
  • Knowledge of vector decomposition in physics
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy calculations
  • Proficiency in trigonometric functions and their application in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the kinetic energy lost during the collision using the formula 0.5 * m * v^2 for both billiard balls
  • Explore vector addition and subtraction techniques for solving collision problems
  • Review the principles of elastic and inelastic collisions in physics
  • Study the application of momentum conservation in two-dimensional collisions
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and collision problems, as well as educators looking for practical examples of momentum conservation in action.

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Homework Statement



Two billiard balls collide on a horizontal table (assume no friction)). Billiard ball A has a mass of 0.175 kg,travelling at 1.20 m/s [E 40 deg S]. Billiard ball B has a mass of 0.225 kg, traveling at 0.68 m/s [E]. The velocity of billiard ball B after collision is 0.93 m/s [E 23 deg S]. What is the velocity of billiard A after the collision and what is the percentage of kinetic energy lost in the collision?

Homework Equations



P = m*v

The Attempt at a Solution



I believe this is a conservation of momentum problem?

therefore: [tex]P_{i}=P_{f}[/tex]
[tex](mv_{A})_{i}+(mv_{B})_{f}=(mv_{A})_{f}+(mv_{B})_{f}[/tex]
[tex].175*1.20+.225*.68=.175*.93+.225*v_{A}_{f}[/tex]
[tex]v_{A}_{f} = .89 m/s[/tex]

What I am unsure of is how i would find the direction of that velocity... I know it's vector problem, but how would i go about solving this, preferably algebraically?

EDIT: never mind, i found out how to do it using the vertical components :smile:

And to solve for % of kinetic energy lost, would I need to do it separately for each ball? using [tex]\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}[/tex]?

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
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Yes, you would need to calculate the kinetic energy of each ball individually.
 
Thanks, but I realized I did the above wrong.. I need to find the x and y component of Ball A after the collision... so what I did was:
mv_aix + mv_bix = mv_afx + mv_bfx
= .175(1.20sin40) + .225(.68) = .175(v_afx) + .225(.93sin23)
v_afx = 1.18

mv_aiy + mv_biy = mv_afy + mv_bfy
= .175(1.20cos40) + .225(0) = .175(v_afy) + .225(.93cos23)
v_afy = -0.18

though I don't know if i am right :confused: as i also get a negative...

EDIT: sorry, I need to interchange the trig signs for both the components... DOI!

Now how would I go about with the kinetic energy?
 
Last edited:

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