What Happens When Two Identical Balls Collide Perfectly Elastically?

[mikefitz]

Ball #1 moving at a speed of +4.4 m/s along x-axis collides with an identical ball (#2). The initial velocity of ball #2 is equal to zero. Assume that this is a perfectly elastic collision.

I know that Pbefore = Pafter - but since I'm not given the mass of either ball how am I to know what their velocities are after they hit?

 

[mikefitz]

I have another problem that asks a similar question, no mass given:

Two balls of equal mass approach the coordinate origin where they collide. Assume that this is a perfectly elastic collision. Before collision, one ball moves along the y-axis at +4.5 m/s and the other ball moves along the x-axis at +4.4 m/s. After they collide, one of the balls moves along the x-axis at +1.2 m/s.

Find the x-component of velocity of the other ball after the collision =

How do I get started on these problems? Thanks

 

[neutrino]

Identical = equal masses

 

[radou]

Hint 1: use the facts that momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, if the collision if perfectly elastic.

Hint 2: when there are more directions, use vectors, and then deal with their components, in order to keep things more clear.

 

[mikefitz]

ok, for the first question; since they're equal mass and hit directly, total energy is transferred to ball 2. Vball1 = 0, Vball2 = 4.4

Now, for the second problem I'm supposed to be using vectors to find the x and y components. I will attempt this one later - thanks.

 

[radou]

ok, for the first question; since they're equal mass and hit directly, total energy is transferred to ball 2. Vball1 = 0, Vball2 = 4.4

Your notation is inconsistent - what exactly do you need to find in 1) ? The velocity of the second ball after the collision?

Edit. Actually, if the solution is correct, It doesn't matter.