Glancing Collision and Kinetic Energy

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on an inelastic collision between two masses: m1 = 6.20 kg moving North at 13.5 m/s and m2 = 4.40 kg moving East at 8.80 m/s. After the collision, both masses stick together and move at an angle θ = 56.3˚. The final velocity can be determined using conservation of momentum in both the x and y directions, leading to the equation Vf = √(Vfx² + Vfy²). Additionally, the kinetic energy lost during the collision can be calculated by comparing the initial and final kinetic energies of the system.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of inelastic collisions
  • Knowledge of momentum conservation principles
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy calculations
  • Basic trigonometry for angle calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the final velocity (Vf) using momentum conservation equations
  • Determine the initial kinetic energy (KE_initial) using KE = 0.5 * m * v²
  • Calculate the final kinetic energy (KE_final) after the collision
  • Analyze the kinetic energy lost during the inelastic collision
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone studying mechanics, particularly those interested in collision dynamics and energy conservation principles.

njuice8
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
A mass m1 = 6.20 kg is moving North with a velocity of v1 = 13.5 m/s when it collides perpendicularly with another mass m2 = 4.40 kg moving East with a velocity of v2 = 8.80 m/s. Mass m1 runs into mass m2 in an inelastic collision and both masses stick together and move off after the collision at an angle θ = 56.3˚.
What will be the velocity of these two masses after the collision?
How much kinetic energy was lost in this inelastic collision?

My work so far:
P initial:
1: x - 0 y - 6.2(13.5) = 83.7
2: x - 4.4(8.8) = 38.72 y - 0
P final:
1 & 2: x - 10.6(Vfcos56.3) = 5.9Vf y - 10.6(Vfsin56.3) = 8.8Vf

I don't know what to do next...

Also for the kinetic energy what would I do? Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
njuice8 said:
I don't know what to do next...
Momentum will be conserved in each direction, right? So equate the total x momentum before to the x momentum after, and similarly y (but either will do to determine Vf; they've given you more information than you need).
Also for the kinetic energy what would I do? Thanks!
Compute the KE before and the KE after.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K