How Can I Find the Velocity of a Collision with Only Displacements?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the velocity of a steel ball during a collision with another steel ball of equal mass, given only the displacements. Participants clarify that velocity is defined as displacement divided by time, emphasizing that time cannot be disregarded in this context. The conversation highlights the necessity of additional details regarding the displacements to accurately determine velocity and mentions the conservation of linear momentum as a critical concept in collision analysis.

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How do I find the velocity of a steel ball in a collision with a steel ball of equal mass when I only know the displacements? (Time is irrelevant because it is also equal I believe?) Do I still write velocity in m/s? or just in meters?

V = displacement/time
 
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izzakizza said:
How do I find the velocity of a steel ball in a collision with a steel ball of equal mass when I only know the displacements? (Time is irrelevant because it is also equal I believe?) Do I still write velocity in m/s? or just in meters?

V = displacement/time
Hi izzakizza and welcome to PF.
I don't follow you when you say that time is equal. Equal to what?
Velocity unit is always a distance over time, so writing it as meters doesn't have any sense.
I don't understand well your question (you know the displacements? What do you mean by this? Do you mean their path? If so it's impossible to know their velocity.)
I think your question is too vague. If you could add some details we might help you.
(By the way I'm pretty sure you'll have to use the fact that the linear momentum is conserved, but from what you posted we cannot say anything)
 

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