Mosquito being charged by dinosaur

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on an elastic collision scenario involving a mosquito and a dinosaur, with the dinosaur traveling at a speed of 2.62 m/s. The participant incorrectly assumes that the mosquito will bounce off at the same speed as the dinosaur. To solve this problem accurately, one must apply the principles of conservation of momentum and kinetic energy, which govern elastic collisions. The lack of specified masses complicates the calculation, but the fundamental equations remain applicable.

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Homework Statement



A small mosquito is hovering in the air when a fast and massive dinosaur charges right into it with a speed of 2.62 m/s. If the collision is elastic what is the speed of the mosquito when it bounces off of the dinosaur.


Homework Equations



momentum equation


The Attempt at a Solution



Well since the don't specify the masses I just assume a tiny mass being hit by a massive one. The horizontal speed of the mosquito is 0 and the speed of the dinosaur is 2.62 m/s. I thought it would just be the same speed of the dinosaur (or slightlyyy larger) but this is wrong. Can someone please help?

Thank you very much
 
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what equations did you use?
 

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