Momentum and Collisions in 2 dimensions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two particles of different masses colliding elastically in two dimensions. The key equations focus on the conservation of momentum in both the x and y dimensions, as well as the conservation of kinetic energy. Participants suggest simplifying the equations and using trigonometric identities to solve for the unknowns. The approach emphasizes the importance of systematic substitutions to manage the complexity of the equations. Overall, the problem requires careful analysis of momentum and energy conservation principles in a two-dimensional collision scenario.
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Homework Statement


Two particles with masses 2m and 3m are moving toward each other along the x-axis with the same initial speeds v. Particle 2m is traveling to the left, while particle 3m is traveling to the right. They undergo an elastic, glancing collision such that particle 2m is moving downward after the collision at a right angle from its initial direction.

Homework Equations


v2 = final velocity of the 3m object
v3 = final velocity of the 2m object
angle w = the angle of 3m to the horizontal after colliding with the 2m

momentum conserved in x-dimension:
3mv - 2mv = 3m * cos(w) * v2

momentum conversed in y-dimension:
0 = (3m * sin(w) * v2) - (2m * v3)

kinetic energy is also conserved:
.5(3m)(v^2) + .5(2m)(v^2) = .5(3m)(v2^2) + .5(2m)(v3^2)

The Attempt at a Solution


pages of work of which i am too tired now to transcribe into type
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Your working reads OK.
You have three equations and three unknowns.
How about start by simplifying the equations and doing some substitutions.
Then maybe you can use.
sin²w + cos²w = 1
It's long winded but it works...
 
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