How Do You Calculate Velocity After an Angular Elastic Collision?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the final velocity of puck B after an elastic collision with puck A on an air table. Puck A, initially moving at 2.6 m/s, collides with puck B, which is at rest, and moves off at 2.50 m/s at an angle of +16.3°. The final velocity of puck B is determined to be ____ m/s at an angle of -73.7°. The conservation of momentum is emphasized as the key principle for solving the problem, specifically applying it to both horizontal and vertical components.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of elastic collisions in physics
  • Knowledge of momentum conservation principles
  • Ability to resolve vectors into horizontal and vertical components
  • Familiarity with trigonometric relationships in angles
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of elastic collisions in two dimensions
  • Learn how to apply conservation of momentum in both x and y directions
  • Explore vector resolution techniques for analyzing angles in collisions
  • Practice solving similar problems involving collisions on an air table
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and collision problems, as well as educators looking for examples of elastic collision scenarios.

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Homework Statement



Two identical pucks are on an air table. Puck A has an initial velocity of 2.6 m/s in the positive x-direction. Puck B is at rest. Puck A collides elastically with puck B and A moves off at 2.50 m/s at an angle of +16.3° above the x-axis. What is the speed and direction of puck B after the collision? (Take angles above the x-axis to be positive and below to be negative.)
____ m/s at -73.7 °


Homework Equations



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The Attempt at a Solution




i know this is an elastic collision but i do not know how to solve it for a collision that is at an angle. I got the -73.7 because i know that if anythign is hit at an angle...the total angle of the 2 objects should add to 90 degrees. but how do i solve for the final velocity?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Momentum is conserved! Write equations for conservation of momentum for horizontal and vertical components.
 
how do you do it for the initial and final? i don't understand this one
 

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