Understanding Force and Momentum in Angular Elastic Collisions

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the principles of force and momentum in angular elastic collisions, specifically regarding the behavior of a sphere post-impact. It is established that in an elastic collision, the speed of the sphere remains constant, and the change in momentum can be calculated using the cosine law. The participants clarify that to determine the change in momentum, one must subtract the initial momentum vector from the final momentum vector, drawing both from the origin to visualize the resultant vector accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of elastic collisions and kinetic energy conservation
  • Familiarity with momentum concepts and vector subtraction
  • Knowledge of the cosine law in physics
  • Basic skills in vector diagram representation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of angular momentum in collisions
  • Learn about vector addition and subtraction in physics
  • Explore the implications of elastic versus inelastic collisions
  • Investigate the mathematical representation of forces during collisions
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of collisions and momentum transfer in elastic systems.

PhysicS FAN
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Homework Statement
In the elastic collision (of the image) the sphere has a mass m=1kg and the angles that the object meets and leaves the wall are 60deegres. The time duration of the impact is Δt=0,01 sec and the velocity at which the sphere is moving is u=10√3 m/s. Assume √3= 1,73.

1. What is the change of the momentum
2. What is the force of the wall
Relevant Equations
ΔΚ= W, P=mu
The speed of the sphere after the impact will be the same since the collision is elastic and the kinetic energy remains the same. So the change of momentum will be given by the cosine law right? What bothers me is the second question about the force that acts on the sphere (which can be given by Δp/Δt=ΣF). I can not understand the behavour of the force at the change of direction of the sphere. What I mean is where should I draw the force?
 

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What is the direction of the change of momentum??
 
hutchphd said:
What is the direction of the change of momentum??
Well the momentum of the sphere before the collision and the momentum after create a 120 deegres angle and so the change will be the distance of the beginning of the first and the end of the last momentum arrow
 
Did the momentum parallel to the wall change?
 
PhysicS FAN said:
so the change will be the distance of the beginning of the first and the end of the last momentum arrow
this is not correct. You wish to subtract the initial vector from the final.
 
PhysicS FAN said:
the change will be the distance of the beginning of the first and the end of the last momentum arrow
As @hutchphd writes, that is incorrect; that is how to find the sum of vectors diagrammatically.
To find the change, you can draw both vectors from the origin and find the vector that goes from the end of the first to the end of the second.
 

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