Elastic collision considering the angle of impact

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the topic of elastic collisions, specifically considering the angle of impact between two colliding spheres. Participants explore various resources and equations related to the problem, expressing difficulty in understanding the existing solutions and seeking additional references.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares a link to a resource on 2D collisions but finds the results unsatisfactory when applying their own numbers.
  • Another participant requests clarification on the specific question and the numbers being used, questioning the validity of the initial claim regarding the results.
  • Repeated requests for additional resources or sites that address the same problem are made, indicating a lack of clarity in the original material.
  • A different resource is shared, prompting questions about whether it considers the angle of impact or assumes a specific angle, such as 45 degrees.
  • One participant suggests downloading "Mechanics" by Landau and Lifshitz for a derivation of the problem, while another raises concerns about the legality of accessing such materials online.
  • A technical approach is presented involving the use of coordinate systems and equations related to momentum and restitution, but there is disagreement about the relevance of a 45-degree angle in the context of the discussion.
  • Participants express frustration and disagreement over the tone and focus of the conversation, with some suggesting that the question may be too basic for the forum's level.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity of the original resource or the appropriateness of the angle of impact in the equations discussed. Multiple competing views and interpretations of the problem remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of missing assumptions regarding the definitions of angles and the conditions under which the equations apply. The discussion also reflects varying levels of familiarity with the topic among participants.

luckis11
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https://www.plasmaphysics.org.uk/collision2d.htm

This is the only one I found, but when I plug in the numbers of his example I get a wrong result. Do you know any others who solved it i.e. considering the angle of impact? Angle of impact I name the angle that is shaped between the initial dx with the surface that separates the 2 balls at the time of impact (the other ball is still before the impact).
 
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Please be more specific. What is the question you are trying to answer? What numbers are you plugging in and what result do you get? Why do you say that the result is wrong? The angle of impact is defined in the link you posted and presumably the equations in the link are based on that definition. I am not sure whether your definition is the same because I don't understand it.
 
The only thing I asked is if you know other sites that solved the same problem as he did. I do not know if he solved it correctly, I just find it impossible to understand it better (and thus get correct results), so the only solution is another site.
 
luckis11 said:
The only thing I asked is if you know other sites that solved the same problem as he did. I do not know if he solved it correctly, I just find it impossible to understand it better (and thus get correct results), so the only solution is another site.
You can down load Landau and Lifshitz "Mechanics" for free. Google " Landau and Lifshitz Mechanics pdf". Read pages 44-46 which is a derivation of the problem in center of mass coordinates.
 
Fred Wright said:
You can down load Landau and Lifshitz "Mechanics" for free.

Legally? Lots of things are on the web that aren't exactly legal.
 
At the time of the collision it's most convenient to take a coordinate system with one axis (the ##x##-axis, say) parallel to the line of centres of the two spheres. Then, resolving the two initial velocities ##\mathbf{u}_1 = (u_{1x}, u_{1y})## and ##\mathbf{u}_2 = (u_{2x}, u_{2y})##, and similarly for the final velocities ##\mathbf{v}_1## and ##\mathbf{v}_1##, you can write one equation using that the coefficient restitution ##e=1##, $$u_{1x} - u_{2x} = v_{2x} - v_{1x} \ \ \ (1)$$then one equation by conserving the ##x##-momentum,
$$m_1 u_{1x} + m_2 u_{2x} = m_1 v_{1x} + m_2 v_{2x} \ \ \ (2)$$and those two equations can be easily solved given ##u_{1x}## and ##u_{2x}##. Further, since the impulse either exerts on the other has only an ##x##-component, you can write down ##u_{1y} = v_{1y}## and ##u_{2y} = v_{2y}##.
luckis11 said:
Here, the equations of this, where are they. And they took in account the angle of impact or they theorized that it is 45 degrees?
I don't think "45 degrees" is a relevant number for that simulation!
 
You must be kidding me. Think it over.
 
@luckis11 that is not very nice, so I will not help you any more. [Also, this thread really ought to be "B" level, it is a fairly common school-level maths question in the UK at least.]
 
  • #11
Thread closed for Moderation...

EDIT -- This thread will remain closed. OP has reposted a more focused question in this thread:

https://www.physicsforums.com/reports/queue/reports.1/52717/
 
Last edited:
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