Elastic Collision and max height on an Incline

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the maximum height a block of mass m1 = 8.00 kg reaches after an elastic collision with a stationary block of mass m2 = 14.0 kg on a frictionless incline. The initial velocity of m1 before the collision is determined to be 9.9 m/s. After the collision, the final velocity of m1 is calculated to be -2.7 m/s. The maximum height achieved by m1 post-collision is found to be approximately 0.7438 meters, although this answer is noted as incorrect, suggesting a reevaluation of energy conversion methods for accuracy.

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Consider a frictionless track ABC as shown in Figure P8.23. A block of mass m1 = 8.00 kg is released from A. It makes a head-on elastic collision at B with a block having a mass of m2 = 14.0 kg that is initially at rest. Calculate the maximum height to which m1 rises after the collision.

p8-23.gif


To find the initial velocity of mass 1 right before the collision:

Ug = KE
mgh = .5mv2
gh = .5v2
(9.8)(5) = .5v2
v = 9.9

Find the final velocity of mass 1 right after the collision:

vf1 = (m1-m2/m1+m2)vi1
vf1 = (8-14/8+14)(9.9)
vf1 = -2.7

Find the height at which the mass will reach with the initial velocity 2.7:

Wnet = [tex]\Delta[/tex]KE
KE - Ug = [tex]\Delta[/tex]KE
.5mv2 - mgh = .5mvf2 - .5mvi2
.5vi2- gh = .5vf2 - .5vi2
.5(2.7) - (9.8)h = .5(0)2 - .5(2.7)2
h = .7438

Final answer is incorrect. Any ideas?
 
Last edited:
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Requesting assistance!
 
If you know the initial velocity, rather than evaluating the height using the net work, try just changing kinetic energy to potential energy in the same way that you converted them at the beginning.

In terms of total work, you will find that your final answer turns out to be double the answer using this method.

I hope this helps a little.
 

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