Solving Momentum Transfer: 2 kg Steel Balls Colliding

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In summary, two 2 kg steel balls with equal masses and opposite velocities collide head-on elastically. The initial momentum is equal to the final momentum, which is 10. While there are two variables, the velocity of ball A is 0 and the velocity of ball B is 5 m/s. By conserving kinetic energy, another equation can be obtained to solve for the velocities of the two balls after collision.
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Procrastinate
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A 2 kg steel ball A traveling west at 5 m s–1 collides elastically head-on with a
stationary ball B also of mass 2 kg. Without doing any calculations, state the
velocities (including directions) of the two balls after collision.

Initial momentum = final momentum = 10

I got 10/4 since I assumed it was coupled but it says that V of a is 0 and V of b is 5.
Even so, there would be two variables; how would I solve this? Could anyone please calrify for me?

When I did it separately I got 5 = mv(a) + mv(b)
 
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  • #2
Procrastinate said:
A 2 kg steel ball A traveling west at 5 m s–1 collides elastically head-on with a
stationary ball B also of mass 2 kg. Without doing any calculations, state the
velocities (including directions) of the two balls after collision.

Initial momentum = final momentum = 10

I got 10/4 since I assumed it was coupled but it says that V of a is 0 and V of b is 5.
Even so, there would be two variables; how would I solve this? Could anyone please calrify for me?

When I did it separately I got 5 = mv(a) + mv(b)

You can easily state the direction, but they didn't give too much info about a and b, and well they said elastically so kinetic energy is conserved. You'll get another equation there.
 

1. What is momentum transfer?

Momentum transfer refers to the transfer of momentum from one object to another during a collision or interaction. It is a measure of the amount of motion an object has and is calculated by multiplying an object's mass by its velocity.

2. How is momentum conserved during a collision?

According to the law of conservation of momentum, the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This means that the momentum of the colliding objects will be transferred and redistributed, but the total amount of momentum in the system will remain constant.

3. What factors affect momentum transfer during a collision?

The main factors that affect momentum transfer during a collision are the mass and velocity of the colliding objects. Objects with higher mass and/or velocity will have a greater momentum and therefore a greater impact during the collision.

4. How is momentum transfer calculated?

Momentum transfer can be calculated by using the equation p = m * v, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity. This equation can be used to calculate the momentum of each object before and after the collision, and then the difference can be used to determine the amount of momentum transferred.

5. Are there any real-world applications of momentum transfer?

Yes, momentum transfer is an important concept in many fields, including physics, engineering, and sports. It is used to study the motion of objects in collisions, design safer car bumpers, and analyze the forces involved in sports like football and hockey.

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