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UMDstudent
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Homework Statement
A 47.0g ball is fired horizontally with initial speed (Vo) toward a 110g ball that is hanging motionless from a 1.00m -long string. The balls undergo a head-on, perfectly elastic collision, after which the 110g ball swings out to a maximum angle theta = 52.0 degrees.
What was Vo?
Homework Equations
Conservation of Energy
Conservation of momentum
Vfx = ( m1 - m2 / m1 + m2 ) * Vix
The Attempt at a Solution
First off, this is a mastering physics question for my phys161 (Classical Mechanics) class at University of Maryland. I have spent a good 2 hours working through this problem, reading, re-reading the text and have burned through 4 of my 5 available attempts at a correct answer. I know that since this is a Head-On elastic Collision, the velocity of ball 1 will equal zero after the collision and be equivalent to the velocity of ball 2 while on the string.
Should i calculate the velocity of ball 2 (the ball attached to the string) because that would be Vi = Square Root (2 * gravity * Y0) where Y0 is = L(1-cos(theta))?
I need to conceptually understand this problem; although if i figure out the correct answer, that would be nice too :) .
Also, I am not new to these forums as a user; this is just the first time i have gotten so frustrated with a problem that i have brought it to the attention of the forum members :).
Very Respectfully,
Shane
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