Elastic Collision and Kinematic Problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two balls on a ramp, where one ball rolls down and collides with the other. The key challenge is determining the final velocities of both balls after the collision and the angle of displacement for the second ball. Participants clarify the physical setup, confirming that the first ball slides down from a height of 0.1 m and strikes the second ball horizontally. The importance of using energy conservation to find the velocity of the first ball just before the collision is emphasized. Overall, the conversation aids in understanding the problem's dynamics and encourages a re-evaluation of the approach to find the solution.
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Homework Statement


A .1 m ramp is sitting at the edge of a horizontal surface that is 1 m from the ground. One ball is resting at the top of a ramp and another ball is resting at the bottom of the ramp where it is flattened. Each ball has a mass of .05 kg. Ball one is released and hits ball two. Find the displacement of ball two and the angle that it makes relative to the starting position. The starting position is at angle 0 degrees.


Homework Equations


When VB, i=0
VA, f = [(mA - mB)/(mA + mB)]VA, i
VB, f = [2ma/(mA + mB)]Va, i
R=[(Vi^2sin2(theta))/g]
y= Viy - gt

The Attempt at a Solution



I know that I have to find the VA in order to get VB, but if I try to solve for those velocities, I end up with 0. VA, i is 0, and when plugged in it gives the final velocities at 0. I thought about trying to use the variables and cancel out somehow, but that didn't lead me anywhere.

I know that when the balls are both in free fall they'll have a constant velocity because of gravity, but time isn't given. I also tried to figure out a way to find t through other equations and plug it in, but I couldn't find a way.

I also don't know how to find the final angle.

I appreciate all help.
 
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22flakes said:

Homework Statement


A .1 m ramp is sitting at the edge of a horizontal surface that is 1 m from the ground. One ball is resting at the top of a ramp and another ball is resting at the bottom of the ramp where it is flattened. Each ball has a mass of .05 kg. Ball one is released and hits ball two. Find the displacement of ball two and the angle that it makes relative to the starting position. The starting position is at angle 0 degrees.

I'm not sure I understand the physical set up. Am I right that Ball One slides down an incline from a height of 0.1 m and then strikes Ball Two horizontally?

If so, to get the speed of Ball One at the moment of the collision, you want to find the velocity of a body that falls from rest for a distance of 0.1 m. Do you know how to do that? Have you worked with the fact that energy is a state function?

Is my reasoning for this clear?
 
Fewmet said:
I'm not sure I understand the physical set up. Am I right that Ball One slides down an incline from a height of 0.1 m and then strikes Ball Two horizontally?

If so, to get the speed of Ball One at the moment of the collision, you want to find the velocity of a body that falls from rest for a distance of 0.1 m. Do you know how to do that? Have you worked with the fact that energy is a state function?

Is my reasoning for this clear?

Yes, that's right. Thank you, the problem makes more sense to me. I'll try to tackle the problem again.
 
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