Elastic Collision of two blocks

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chiurox
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Homework Statement



Block A of mass, mA = 2.0 kg, is moving on a frictionless surface with a velocity of 5.0 m/s to the right and another block B of mass, mB = 8.0 kg, is moving with a velocity of 3.0 m/s to the left, as shown in the diagram below. The two block eventually collide.

a. If the collision is elastic, what are the final velocities of the two blocks?

The Attempt at a Solution



(2.0)(5.0) + (8.0)(-3.0) = (2.0)vaf + (8.0)vbf
10 – 24 = (2.0)vaf + (8.0)vbf
-14 = (2.0)vaf + (8.0)vbf divide the equation by 2
-7 = vaf + 4.0vbf //equation 1
So, I don't know now how to solve for these two final variables.
 
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chiurox said:

Homework Statement



Block A of mass, mA = 2.0 kg, is moving on a frictionless surface with a velocity of 5.0 m/s to the right and another block B of mass, mB = 8.0 kg, is moving with a velocity of 3.0 m/s to the left, as shown in the diagram below. The two block eventually collide.

a. If the collision is elastic, what are the final velocities of the two blocks?

The Attempt at a Solution



(2.0)(5.0) + (8.0)(-3.0) = (2.0)vaf + (8.0)vbf
10 – 24 = (2.0)vaf + (8.0)vbf
-14 = (2.0)vaf + (8.0)vbf divide the equation by 2
-7 = vaf + 4.0vbf //equation 1
So, I don't know now how to solve for these two final variables.

you need to put also the kinetic energy conservation law.

bye marco