How do I apply the component method to solve momentum problems in 2 dimensions?

[pinkyjoshi65]

Well, I have been studying Work and Energy for a few days now. I started reading about momentum in 2 dimensions, but i can't seem to understand a thing! I would really appreciate it if someone could help me with this topic.

 

[hage567]

It would be easier if you ask more specific questions on what is giving you trouble. Maybe this site can help a bit:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/conser.html#conmom

 

[pinkyjoshi65]

well. i have difficulty in understanding the problem questions. For eg: when 2 objects collide they go in different directions with different angles, and the question is to find the velocity. I have difficulty in analysing the problem and drawing the diagram with the vectors.

 

[cyprusad]

There is a systematic way to deal with that kind of a problem.
First: Define a coordinate system. Choose a convenient x-axis and y-axis, such that you'd have to take the minmum number of components. And the ones that you take, can be easily found out using some trig.
Second: The component method works because, components are scalars, they can be added and subtracted like any other number. So write down the x and y components of the velocities of the bodies before (say a collision) and after. Use the conservation laws for conserving the momentum in the x-axis and the y axis. (Never mix them up!)
Now, when you get the final components that you need, say a final velocity, or angle etc. Just change the components back to the vector form.