Elastic 2-D Collisions without given masses?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a classic curling shot where a shot stone collides with a stationary target stone. The initial velocity of the shot stone is given, and the target stone's velocity after the collision is provided. The discussion centers around determining the velocity of the shot stone post-collision under the assumption of a fully elastic collision, despite the absence of mass values for the stones.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of not having mass values, with some questioning whether they can assume the masses are equal based on the context of curling. Others express uncertainty about how to proceed without this information.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with some participants suggesting that the masses may cancel out if they are equal, while others highlight the lack of explicit information regarding the masses. Clarifications about the context of curling stones being of equal mass are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is an assumption under discussion regarding the mass of the curling stones, as the problem does not specify whether they are the same or different. This uncertainty affects the participants' approaches to solving the problem.

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Homework Statement


In a classic curing shot, the shot stone, traveling at 6.0m/s [E] hits a stationary stone. The target stone is propelled at a velocity of 2.0 m/s [East30degreesSouth] What is the velocity of the shot stone after the collision? (Assume the collision is fully elastic)

Homework Equations


V11 =((ΔmΔV)/ MT) + V2
V21 = ((-2*M1*ΔV) / MT) + V2

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know how to figure out this question without a mass
Do I go through the solution and just sub in a value for m? The problem is that the result will be different if the curling stones have different masses...
 
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Since the masses of the stones are the same, I would think it would cancel out.
 
Thats just it, it doesn't say they are the same. It doesn't specify what the mass is of either of the stones..
 
"a classic curing shot" so its the same mass.
 
Oh, I didn't realize that in a classic curling shot, they have the same mass... We've done examples in class where the rocks have the same mass, and some have different...
Thanks for your help everyone :)
 

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