Momentum of a collision in 2-D

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the velocity of two masses after a collision, given the distance they travel, the angle they travel, and their masses. The equation P(total) = P(total)¹ is used to represent the final momentum vectors of the masses, and it is noted that momentum is proportional to velocity, which is proportional to distance. It is suggested that the horizontal component of their velocity remains unchanged and that dividing the distance by their masses could determine the velocity, but the exact method is still unclear. The use of displacement lengths instead of momentum is also mentioned, but it is questioned how displacement can be equal to both momentum and mass.
  • #1
sodr2
26
0

Homework Statement


If you have a mass colliding with another mass at rest and they both go off in different directions, how do you find out the velocity of the masses after the collision given the distance they travel, the angle they travel and the masses (m1 = m2). You are also told that momentum is proportional to velocity which is proportional to distance.


Homework Equations


P(total) = P(total)¹

m1v1 = m1v1¹ + m2v2¹


The Attempt at a Solution


Im guessing that the horizontal component of their velocity remains unchanged and therefore the distance they go horizontally is propotional to their horizontal velocity, but I still don't understand how you can determine the velocity of the masses with this information.

I was told that the distance the masses travel after collision represents the final momentum vectors of mass 1 & 2 because m1 = m2 and p is proportional to v, proportional to d. Could I take the distance they travel and divide it by their masses to get the velocity because p=mv?
 
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  • #2
I think it is about using
m1d1 = m1d1¹ + m2d2¹

divide them into x-y components
 
  • #3
Ok, that looks like the right way to do it, but I am almost sure that for equal size balls with the same mass, the displacement lengths can be used in place of the momentum. How can the displacement equal momentum, when youre saying that momentum equals displacement AND mass? Mabey since the masses are the same before and after, could you take out masses?
 

1. What is momentum in the context of a collision in 2-D?

Momentum is a measure of an object's motion and is calculated by multiplying its mass by its velocity. In a collision in 2-D, it refers to the combined momentum of two objects before and after the collision.

2. How is momentum conserved in a 2-D collision?

In a 2-D collision, momentum is conserved as long as there are no external forces acting on the system. This means that the total momentum of the two objects before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.

3. What is the equation for calculating the momentum of a 2-D collision?

The equation for calculating momentum in a 2-D collision is P = m1v1 + m2v2, where P is the total momentum, m1 and m2 are the masses of the two objects, and v1 and v2 are their velocities.

4. How does the angle of collision affect the momentum in a 2-D collision?

The angle of collision can affect the direction and magnitude of the momentum in a 2-D collision. If the objects collide head-on, the momentum will be in the same direction as the initial velocity. If the objects collide at an angle, the momentum will be in a different direction and the magnitude may also change.

5. Can the momentum of a 2-D collision be negative?

Yes, the momentum of a 2-D collision can be negative. This can occur if one of the objects has a negative velocity, which means it is moving in the opposite direction than initially assumed. The negative momentum indicates that the object is moving in the opposite direction of the positive momentum.

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