Solving for Angle, Momentum & Energy of Particle Collision

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a particle collision problem involving elastic scattering. Particle p, with a mass of 2 kg and an initial speed of 3 m/s, collides with a stationary particle N, deflecting at 90° and leaving with a speed of 2.7 m/s. Key equations for conservation of momentum and energy are applied to determine the angle of particle N's recoil, its momentum, energy change of particle p, and the mass and speed of particle N. The user expresses difficulty in calculating the final velocity and mass of particle N due to the lack of known values. The conversation highlights the need for breaking down momentum into x and y components to solve the problem effectively.
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A particle p traveling with a speed of vpi = 3 m/s hits and scatters elastically from another particle N, initially at rest. Particle p is deflected through 90°, leaving with a speed of vpf = 2.7 m/s, and a mass mp = 2 kg.

a) What angle (in degrees) does the recoiling N make to the incident-p direction?

b) What is the magnitude of the momentum of the recoiling N?

c) What is the change in the energy of the p?

d) What is the speed of the recoiling N?

e) What is the mass of the N?




Relevant equations:
Conservation of momentum and energy




I think i have to break up the momentum into x and y directions.
I did an equation like this...
x-direction:
(2Kg)(3m/s) + (mass-N)(0m/s) = (2kg)(0m/s) + (mass-N)(Vfinal-N)*cos(theta)
theta being the angle were looking for.
But I'm getting stuck because i don't know the mass or the final velocity of particle N.
There has to be another way to do this i just can't think of it.
 
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Where's your equation for the y direction?
 
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