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Homework Statement
In a game of billiards the 0.165 kg cue ball is hit toward the 0.155 kg eight ball which is stationary. The cue ball travels at a speed of 6.2 m/s and after impact rolls away at an angle of 40.0 degrees counterclockwise from its initial direction with a velocity of 3.7 m/s. Find the velocity of the eight ball after the collision.
Homework Equations
m1v1 + m2v2 = m1vf1 + m2vf2
The Attempt at a Solution
I cut the coordinate system up into the x y and z axis. In the y axis, there is no movement, as the ball stays on the table. So, we have x and z to work with. I drew a Cartesian graph with the axis 'X' and 'Y' where 'Y' represents 'Z'. I will also interpret the cue ball being shot up the Y axis into the eight ball, instead of being shot horizontally.
So I cut the motion up like this, in the y-axis vectors:
0.165kg * 6.2 m/s + 0 = 0.155kgVf + 0.165kg*3.7m/s*sin40
Vfy = 4.4 m/s [up]
x vectors:
0 = 0.155kgVf + 0.165kg*3.7m/s * cos40
Vfyx = -3.0m/s
Now, I add the vectors using Pythagorean theorem and my result is 5.3 m/s [W 55 degrees N] or 5.3 m/s [35 degrees clockwise].
However, the book gives me the answer of 4.4 m/s [35.2 degrees clockwise].
This is the part that confused me, why is the book not taking the X forces into account? Its just using the answer I got in the Y coordinate system. This is confusing, because my teacher did the same thing in school and answered with "there is no movement in the Y axis".
The problem is that there are three dimensions: X,Y,Z and Y is set to 0, but we still have movement in the Z axis (which I represented as Y in this answer).
So I have no idea why its done like this, and am very confused. Did the book make a mistake, or am I wrong?