Solving for Unknowns in Conservation of Energy and Momentum Equations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving a relationship between energy and momentum in a physics context, specifically using conservation laws. The original poster seeks assistance in manipulating equations related to energy and momentum to arrive at a specific expression.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss manipulating the conservation of momentum equation to isolate variables and relate them to energy ratios. There are attempts to substitute variables to simplify the equations and derive the desired expression.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made progress in their attempts to derive the expression, with one noting a successful substitution that leads to a new form of the equation. However, there is no explicit consensus on the final outcome, as the original poster is still seeking confirmation of their approach.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the manipulation of equations and the relationships between variables, with some participants questioning the assumptions made in the setup of the problem.

middlephysics
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Homework Statement



Could someone help me get from these two equations to E'/E=[(A-1)/(A+1)]2

http://postimg.org/image/m5zi9ha19/

Homework Equations



E = v^2=E' = v'2 + AV^2
p=v=p' = v' + AV = v


from conservation of energy, momentum

E'/E= (v'2 + AV^2)/(v^2)

The Attempt at a Solution



Three or four pages in my binder with no progress.
 
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$$mv = mv' + AmV$$ can be written as $$mv - mv'= AmV$$ and this gives $$(mv - mv')^2= (Am)^2 V^2$$
You can use this in the equation for the conservation of energy and get rid of V, so just v' and v' are left as unknown, and their ratio is related to E'/E.
 
mfb said:
$$mv = mv' + AmV$$ can be written as $$mv - mv'= AmV$$ and this gives $$(mv - mv')^2= (Am)^2 V^2$$
You can use this in the equation for the conservation of energy and get rid of V, so just v' and v' are left as unknown, and their ratio is related to E'/E.

Ok from what you wrote I've solved for $$V^2=(mv-mv')^2/(Am)^2$$.

Now I then plugged that V^2 into my $$E'/E= (v'2 + AV^2)/(v^2)$$

I am left with something like

$$(v'(A-1)+v^2-2vv')/(Av^2)$$

so far so good?
 
mfb said:
$$mv = mv' + AmV$$ can be written as $$mv - mv'= AmV$$ and this gives $$(mv - mv')^2= (Am)^2 V^2$$
You can use this in the equation for the conservation of energy and get rid of V, so just v' and v' are left as unknown, and their ratio is related to E'/E.

I've figured it out, thank you
 

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