Solving a 2-Dimensional Collision Problem with Momentum Conservation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a two-dimensional collision problem involving two pucks on a frictionless surface. The original poster describes the initial conditions of the pucks, including their masses and velocities, and seeks to determine the velocity of the second puck after the collision.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conservation of momentum as a key principle in analyzing the collision. Some suggest calculating the velocity of the second puck using momentum conservation, while others question the need to consider kinetic energy conservation.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the problem with various interpretations of the collision dynamics. Some participants have provided hints and guidance regarding the conservation of momentum, while others are attempting calculations and sharing their results without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the requirement for the final answer to be expressed in terms of speed and direction. There is also a mention of the assumption that kinetic energy may not be conserved in this inelastic collision scenario.

yaminohohenheim
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can anyone offer up some help? I've been working on this forever with no success.

On a frictionless surface, a 0.35 kg puck moves horizontally to the right (at an angle of 0°) and a speed of 2.3 m/s. It collides with a 0.23 kg puck that is stationary. After the collision, the puck that was initially moving has a speed of 2.0 m/s and is moving at an angle of −32°. What is the velocity of the other puck after the collision?

(____m/s, _____°)


any help would be very appreciated. :-)
 
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Hint: What quantity is conserved during the collision?
 
Is the speed of the second puck after the collision:

v = 0,9191 i - 1,613 j

?
 
shogunultra said:
Is the speed of the second puck after the collision:

v = 0,9191 i - 1,613 j

?
I believe the question requires the answer in the form of a speed with a direction (degrees above east)
 
yaminohohenheim said:
can anyone offer up some help? I've been working on this forever with no success.

On a frictionless surface, a 0.35 kg puck moves horizontally to the right (at an angle of 0°) and a speed of 2.3 m/s. It collides with a 0.23 kg puck that is stationary. After the collision, the puck that was initially moving has a speed of 2.0 m/s and is moving at an angle of −32°. What is the velocity of the other puck after the collision?

(____m/s, _____°)


any help would be very appreciated. :-)

After my calculations, I got v = 1.4 ms-1 and in the direction of 49.2 deg in the positive x and positive y quadrant. It's better to use conservation of kinetic energy to find the resultant velocity of the stationary puck after collision. Then use conservation of total momentum in the vertical displacement to find the angle of deviation.
 
Folks, provide help, not complete solutions.

For this problem, the only thing you know is conserved is momentum. No need to assume that kinetic energy is conserved.
 

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