Three Pool Balls Homework - Find Final Velocities

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around solving a physics homework problem involving an elastic collision between three equal mass pool balls. The initial ball, moving with speed v, collides with two stationary balls, which then leave the collision at equal speeds. Key equations utilized include the conservation of momentum and energy, specifically mv = mv1 + 2mv2cosθ for momentum and v2 = v12 + 2v22 for energy. The assumptions made include the direction of the initial ball post-collision and the angles at which the two right balls are deflected.

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Homework Statement



A pool ball with initial speed v is aimed right between two other pools balls. If the the two right balls leave the elastic collision with equal speeds, find the final velocities of all three balls.

Homework Equations



Equations for Energy and Momentum conservation laws

The Attempt at a Solution



My questions for this problem are basically just which assumptions I can make. I'm assuming that the two right balls leave at equal angles, and the ball with the initial velocity is still traveling in the x-direction after the collision. But I'm not sure if I can assume this. And part of me wants to assume that the two right balls are deflected at 45 degree angles, but I'm also not sure if I can assume this.

These are my equations for momentum

[tex]mv = mv_{1} +2mv_{2}cos\theta[/tex] for the x-derection and the y-direction simplifies to 0 = 0. And for energy, after simplifications, I have [tex]v^{2} = v_{1}^{2} + 2v_{2}^{2}[/tex] , but I'm not sure where to go from this.
 
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Oh and the problem says that the three pool balls are of equal mass.
 

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