Solving Mechanics Collision of 3 Elastic Balls

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves the collision of three elastic balls with different masses and initial velocities. The original poster attempts to calculate the final velocities of the balls after collisions, specifically questioning the outcomes for balls B and C.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster applies equations for elastic collisions but questions the correctness of their calculations. Some participants suggest reviewing the starting equations used for the calculations, while others provide an alternative equation for determining final velocities.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different equations and interpretations of the problem. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet, as participants are still clarifying the equations to use.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the collisions are perfectly elastic and are questioning the validity of the equations applied in the calculations. There is a noted discrepancy between the expected outcomes and the results derived by the original poster.

sranjanr
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Three perfectly elastic balls A, B, and C of masses 2 Kg, 4 Kg, and 8 Kg, respectively move along the same straight line and in the same reaction with velocities of 4 m/s,
1 m/s, and 0.75 m/s. The ball A collides with ball B and subsequently the ball B impinges with ball C. Make calculations to show that the balls B and C will be brought to rest after the impacts


As I solved :

Putting the equation

v1=u1(m1-m2)+2*m2*u2/m1+m2
v2=u2(m2-m1)+2*m1*u1/m1+m2


Now m1=2Kg , m2=4Kg , u1=4m/s , u2=1m/s

v1 =4(2-4)+2*4*1/2+4=0
v2 =1(4-2)+2*2*4/2+4=3

now ball A get rest and ball B is in 3m/s

now as same before putting equation for B and C

m1=4kg , m2=8 kg ,v1 =3 m/s ,v2 ,0.75 m/s

v1=3(4-8)+2*8*0.75/4+8=0
v2=0.75(8-4)+2*4*3/4+8= 27/12

but as per question V2 should be 0

Am i doing any wrong step ?
 
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Your starting equation is incorrect. The first term has dimensions of momentum (as it should not) and the second term dimensions of velocity (as it should). Please check your starting formula again.
 
I could not get .could you tell me which equestion should i apply ?
 
sranjanr said:
I could not get .could you tell me which equestion should i apply ?

[tex]v_{1} = \frac{m_{1}-m_{2}}{m_{1}+m_{2}}u_{1}+\frac{2m_{2}}{m_{1}+m_{2}}u_{2}[/tex]

To get v2, just swap subscripts 1 and 2.
 

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