Elastic collision 2 dimension unequal masses not at rest

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving elastic collisions in two dimensions involving unequal masses. A blue ball with a mass of 1.5 kg and a speed of 4.5 m/s collides with a red ball weighing 3.6 kg and moving at 2.7 m/s. The solution involves applying Galilean transformation equations to simplify the problem by transforming one ball into a stationary reference frame. Conservation of momentum is crucial, as it applies in both the x- and y-directions during the collision.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of elastic collisions in physics
  • Knowledge of Galilean transformation equations
  • Familiarity with conservation of momentum principles
  • Basic vector analysis for two-dimensional motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of Galilean transformations in collision problems
  • Learn about vector decomposition in two-dimensional physics
  • Explore conservation laws in elastic collisions
  • Practice solving problems involving two-dimensional elastic collisions
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as anyone interested in understanding two-dimensional elastic collisions and their mathematical solutions.

grrrphysics
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Please help! i know how to do a elastic collisions in 1 dimension, but the 2D is too confusing...here is my problem:

You have a blue ball with a mass of 1.5 kg moving with a speed of 4.5 m/s in a direction below the positive x-axis. You have a red ball with a mass of 3.6 kg moving with a speed of 2.7 m/s in a direction to the left of the negative y-axis. When the balls collide, find the final velocity (magnitude and direction) for each of the two balls.
 
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grrrphysics said:
Please help! i know how to do a elastic collisions in 1 dimension, but the 2D is too confusing...here is my problem:

You have a blue ball with a mass of 1.5 kg moving with a speed of 4.5 m/s in a direction below the positive x-axis. You have a red ball with a mass of 3.6 kg moving with a speed of 2.7 m/s in a direction to the left of the negative y-axis. When the balls collide, find the final velocity (magnitude and direction) for each of the two balls.

simple way to solve this is by using galilean transformation equations and turn one of the balls into a stationary one and just use the 1D formulas
 
grrrphysics said:
Please help! i know how to do a elastic collisions in 1 dimension, but the 2D is too confusing...here is my problem:

You have a blue ball with a mass of 1.5 kg moving with a speed of 4.5 m/s in a direction below the positive x-axis. You have a red ball with a mass of 3.6 kg moving with a speed of 2.7 m/s in a direction to the left of the negative y-axis. When the balls collide, find the final velocity (magnitude and direction) for each of the two balls.

Conservation of momentum holds in both the x- and y-directions.
 

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