Noncentral Elastic Collision: Return to Moving Particles

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanics of noncentral elastic collisions between two particles, specifically transitioning from a reference frame where one particle is at rest to a frame where both particles are moving. Participants express uncertainty about the correct approach to adjust velocities and angles in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario involving a noncentral elastic collision and seeks clarification on how to adjust the velocities when transitioning to a moving reference frame.
  • Another participant suggests that the reference frame should be taken as one where one particle is initially at rest, recommending to subtract the rest particle's velocity from the initial conditions and then add it back to the results.
  • There is uncertainty expressed regarding whether simply adding the velocity of the particle at rest to both particles while keeping angles unchanged is sufficient.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion remains unresolved, with participants expressing different levels of understanding and uncertainty about the correct method to apply when transitioning between reference frames.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the implications of their assumptions regarding angles and velocities, and there may be additional factors to consider in the transition between reference frames.

Gavroy
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hi

i am describing a noncentral elastic collision between two particles. therefore i assumed that one of them is at rest. now i want to return back to the system where both particles are moving. do i only need to add the velocity of the particle at rest to both of them and leave all angles unchanged or is there something else i have to keep in mind? i am a little bit uncertain about this whole thing.

thank you for any kind of help!
 
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This link might help: www . phi . duke . edu/courses/217/MottScatteringReport/node8.html
 
sorry, link does not work.
 
Gavroy said:
hi

i am describing a noncentral elastic collision between two particles. therefore i assumed that one of them is at rest. now i want to return back to the system where both particles are moving. do i only need to add the velocity of the particle at rest to both of them and leave all angles unchanged or is there something else i have to keep in mind? i am a little bit uncertain about this whole thing.

thank you for any kind of help!

Just take your reference frame as one in which one of the particles is initially at rest. I.e. subtract that velocity everywhere from the initial conditions and add it back in everywhere to the answer.
 

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