Elastic Collision and final speed

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving an elastic collision problem involving two masses: mass one (2.40 kg) with an initial velocity of 5.70 m/s and mass two (2.20 kg) at rest. The goal is to determine the final speed of mass one (v1f) after the collision at an angle of 31.0 degrees, as well as the angle (phi) of mass two's velocity relative to mass one's initial velocity and the final speed of mass two (v2f). The conservation of mechanical energy and momentum equations are essential for solving this problem.

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Homework Statement



a) Initially, mass one (2.40 kg) has a velocity of 5.70 m/s and mass two (2.20 kg) is at rest. After they collide, mass one emerges at an angle theta = 31.0 degrees. What is the speed of mass one after the collision if the collision is completely elastic? (Note, there are actually two possible answers two this problem, choose the solution which has m1 going as fast as possible.)

b) What is the angle phi, between mass two's velocity and the initial velocity of mass one? (Give your answer as a positive number in degrees.)

c)What is the final speed of mass two after the collision?

m1= 2.40kg
v1i= 5.70m/s
m2 = 2.2kg
theta1= 30 deg
v1f= ??
theta 2 = ??
v2f = ??

Homework Equations



Because it's elastic,

mechanical energy is conserved.
1/2 m1(v1i)^2 = 1/2m1(v1f)^2 + 1/2m2(v2f)^2

Momentum is conserved
for x direction: m1v1i= m1v1f cos(theta1) + m2v2f(theta2)
for y direction: m1v1i= m1v1f sin(theta1) + m2v2f(theta2) = 0

tan (theta2) = (v1f* sin (theta1))/(v1i - v1f * cos (theta1))

The Attempt at a Solution



In all honesty, I'm a little thrown off because I don't know what v1f is.
 
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I tried dividing the xdirection equation with ydirection equation and then getting 1 = tan (theta1) + tan(theta2)...but it didn't work... I need help... or a little guidance.
 

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