Elastic Collision, Finding Angles Between Particles

AI Thread Summary
To solve the problem of finding the angle between two particles after an elastic collision, conservation of momentum must be applied in both the x and y directions. The initial particle, m1, strikes a stationary particle, m2, scattering at 30 degrees with a speed of v0/3. The speed of m2 after the collision is determined to be 2/3v0, but the masses of the particles are unknown, complicating the use of energy conservation. The key is to set up equations for momentum conservation that account for the angles and speeds of both particles post-collision. Ultimately, the angle between the two particles can be calculated using these conservation principles.
Kyliticus
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Hi, here's my problem.

A particle of m1 and initial speed v0 strikes a stationary particle of mass m2, and scatters at 30 degrees to its original direction with speed v0/3. Find the angle, in degrees, between the directions of the two particles after the collision.

I found that the velocity of the m2 after the collision to be 2/3v0 due to conservation of energy.

Can anyone give me ideas on how to find the contained angle? Thank you.
 
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You need to use conservation of momentum as well. In this case you have a 2D case so write momenta along two axes (x and y) and their conservation for each axis.

How can you find the speed from energy conservation, as long as you don't know the masses?
 

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