Determining velocity of objects after collision

AI Thread Summary
In an elastic collision involving a projectile of mass m1 moving at speed v1 and a stationary target of mass m2, the conservation of momentum and energy principles are essential for determining final velocities. The initial momentum equation simplifies to P1f + P2f = P1i, as the initial velocity of the target (v2i) is zero. The conservation of energy must also be applied, allowing for a system of equations to solve for the final velocities of both objects. The discussion confirms that the user is on the right track by applying these principles. Understanding these concepts is crucial for accurately calculating the outcomes of such collisions.
sikrut
Messages
48
Reaction score
1
"A projectile of mass m1 moving with speed v1 in the -x direction strikes a stationary target of mass m2 head-on. The collision is elastic. Use the Momentum Principle and the Energy Principle to determine the final velocities of the projectile and target, making no approximations concerning the masses. "


All I've gotten so far is that:

P1f + P2f = P1i + P2i

but v2i = 0 SO P2i = 0

am I on the right track? I'm pretty much lost at this point.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
sikrut said:
All I've gotten so far is that:

P1f + P2f = P1i + P2i

but v2i = 0 SO P2i = 0

am I on the right track?

Yes, P2i = 0, go ahead. You have also conservation of energy.

ehild
 

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

Conservation of momentum after a collision
Replies
15
Views
4K
Elastic collision heavy particle problem
Replies
12
Views
3K
Conservation of Momentum in an Elastic Collision
Replies
1
Views
2K
Final speed and direction after a collision (elastic+inelastic)
Replies
16
Views
5K
Finding two objects velocity after an elastic collision
Replies
10
Views
4K
Consider a collision: What's m1/m2?
Replies
5
Views
3K
Kinetic energy and momentum in an elastic collision
Replies
22
Views
4K
A Momentum-collision problem two dimensions (HELP)
Replies
1
Views
3K
Dropping a ball onto a wedge, 2d elastic collisions.
Replies
7
Views
7K
Elastic Collision Formula: Solving for Final Velocity and Mass Ratios
Replies
2
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top