Solving a Two-Puck Collision on an Air Hockey Table

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a collision between two pucks on an air hockey table, where one puck is initially at rest. The scenario includes determining the angles of deflection for both pucks after the collision based on their masses and velocities.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the equations of motion in both the x and y directions, noting the number of unknowns and the relationships between them. Some question the validity of the equations set up for each direction and whether they have been applied correctly.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the equations used to describe the collision. Some participants are suggesting corrections to the setup of the equations, particularly regarding the assignment of variables to the x and y directions. No consensus has been reached yet, but there is active engagement in clarifying the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem as presented, with a focus on the angles and velocities involved in the collision. There is an acknowledgment of potential errors in the initial setup of the equations.

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Homework Statement



On an air hockey table, two pucks collide with each other. Puck A have .05 kgand inital velocity of 5 m/s in the x direction. It collides with puck B which is initially at rest and has a mass of .1 kg. The collision is not a head on. AFter the collision, puck A flies of the north east direction with velocity of 3 m/s in an angle theta_A above the x axis. And Puck B flies off the south east direction with a velocity of 2.5 m/s in an angle of theta_B below the x axis. Find Theta_ A and theta_B

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



well I have two equations and three unknows I got

x direction: 0=.05kg*3m/s*sin(theta_a)+.1kg*2.5m/s*sin(theat_B)
and
y direction: m1*V=m1*v_1f*cos(theta_A)+m2*v_2f*cos(theta_B)

please help thanks for your time...
 
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I see only 2 unknowns. Just the 2 directions.
 
I think my equation in the y direction is wrong any thoughts?
 
You swapped the x and the y directions.

What you wrote down for the y-direction is valid for the x-direction

what you wrote for the x-direction is nearly valid for the y-direciton, except
that you forgot \theta_A is an angle above and \theta_B below the x-axis
 

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