What is the final velocity of mass

AI Thread Summary
In the discussion, a physics problem involving two colliding balls of different masses is presented, with mass A (20.0 kg) initially moving at 5.0 m/s and mass B (10.0 kg) at 1.0 m/s. The conservation of momentum and kinetic energy equations are applied to determine the final velocities of both masses after the elastic collision. The user expresses uncertainty about isolating variables and using the quadratic equation to solve for the final velocities. A suggestion is made that from mass B's perspective, mass A's collision can be simplified to a straightforward calculation of mass B's final velocity based on mass A's momentum. The problem emphasizes the need for clarity in applying conservation laws in elastic collisions.
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Homework Statement


A ball of mass 20.0kg (mass A) traveling at a initial speed of 5.0m/s, collides with a ball of mass 10.0kg (mass B) which was traveling at a initial speed of 1.0m/s. What is the final velocity of mass A, what is the final velocity of mass B?

mA = 2mB


Homework Equations


ΣFext = 0
Δp = 0
ΔEk = 0
quadratic equation


The Attempt at a Solution


I am unsure how to find the final velocities here because I have two variables and I have to use the quadratic equation to find the final velocities right? So I was just wondering if I could somehow isolate and get rid of a variable, this is what I have so far:

Δp=0
PiA + PiB = PfA +PfB
mAviA + mBviB = mAvfA + mBvfB
mAviA + 2mAviB = mAvfA + 2mBvfB
viA + ViB = vfA + vfB
(5.0) + (1.0) vfA + vfB
6.0-vfA = vfB

Then I put it into the kinetic energy equation and put in all the numbers and I got as an answer:

510.0 = (20.0)(vfA)(squared) + (10.0)(vfB)(squared)

My question is basically how am I supposed to incorporate this into the quadratic equation to find the final velocities?
 
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I'm not sure about what I will say but I think I'm right. It is an elastic collision.
From the point of view of the mass B, the mass A collides at \frac{4m}{s} and the mass B is at rest.
So the problem remains simple. m_Av_A=m_Bv_{Bf} \Leftrightarrow v_{Bf}=\frac{m_Av_A}{m_B}=\frac{20kg\cdot 4m}{10kg\cdot s}.
I'm not 100% sure though.
 
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