Two Billiard Balls Meeting at Origin - Final Direction & Speeds

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SUMMARY

In the discussion regarding the collision of two billiard balls at the origin of an xy coordinate system, Ball A moves upwards at 2.0 m/s along the y-axis, while Ball B moves to the right at 3.7 m/s along the x-axis. After an elastic collision, Ball B changes direction to move along the positive y-axis. The final direction of Ball A and their respective speeds can be determined using the principles of conservation of momentum and the vector nature of momentum.

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  • Familiarity with vector components and calculations
  • Basic proficiency in solving two-dimensional motion problems
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Ckoskie
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The question is:
- Two billiard balls of equal mass move at right angles and meet at the origin of an xy coordinate system. Ball A is moving upwards along the y-axis at 2.0 m/s, and ball B is moving to the right along the x-axis with speed 3.7m/s. After the collision, assume elastic, ball B is moving along the positive y axis. What is the final direction of ball A and what are their two speeds?

How would I do this one and what formulas would I use??
 
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This might help:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/34/Deflection.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Use conservation of momentum, remember that momentum is a vector.
 

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