Elastic collision with pendulum

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an elastic collision between a steel ball and a steel block, where the ball is released from a pendulum position. The goal is to determine the speeds of both objects after the collision, given the initial conditions and parameters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the velocity of the ball just before the collision using a formula involving gravitational potential energy. They then apply elastic collision formulas to find the speeds after the collision. Some participants question the use of a 45-degree angle in the calculations, suggesting it should be 90 degrees instead.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the assumptions made regarding the angle of release and its impact on the calculations. There is a recognition of the need to correct the angle used in the original calculations, and some new values have been proposed based on this correction.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a figure that is not provided, which may be crucial for understanding the setup of the problem. There is also an indication that momentum conservation is being considered in the discussion.

Jrlinton
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Homework Statement


A steel ball of mass 0.890 kg is fastened to a cord that is 50.0 cm long and fixed at the far end. The ball is then released when the cord is horizontal, as shown in the figure. At the bottom of its path, the ball strikes a 2.50 kg steel block initially at rest on a frictionless surface. The collision is elastic. Find (a) the speed of the ball and (b) the speed of the block, both just after the collision.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


So first found the velocity of the ball just before it collided with the block:
V=(2*g*L*(1-cosΘ))^0.5
V=(2*9.81*0.5*(1-cos45))^0.5
V=2.873 m/s

So then I used that to find the velocity of the block using elastic collision formulas:
V2f= (2*m1)/(m1+m2)*V1i
= (2*0.89)/(0.89+2.5)*2.873
=1.51 m/s

And then for the velocity of the ball following the collision:
V1f=(m1-m2)/(m1+m2)*V1i
=(0.89-2.5)/(0.89+2.5) * 2.873
=-1.37 m/s

I used these solutions (the absolute value of the vel of the ball as it asked for speed) and that was incorrect.
Now I did try and double check myself and found that with these numbers momentum is conserved so what am I missing here?
 
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I haven't checked your attempt at a solution in any detail but a Cos(45) term seems odd given the rope starts horizontal and the collision is at the bottom?

You mention a figure but none provided.
 
Jrlinton said:
The ball is then released when the cord is horizontal, as shown in the figure.
[...]
V=(2*g*L*(1-cosΘ))^0.5
V=(2*9.81*0.5*(1-cos45))^0.5
Without seeing the drawing, it is hard to be sure, but I see no 45 degree angle in the problem description.

Edit: Drat you, speedy @CWatters!
 
Youre right. it should've been 90 degrees as it was raised to the horizontal. I am not sure why I used 45. Other than that the method should hold, no?
 
So using the correct Θ of 90 degrees I get the final velocity of the block to be 1.64 m/s and that of the ball to be -1.49 m/s.
 

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