What is the momentum and velocity of each ball after hit?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on a physics problem involving the collision of two balls with different masses and velocities. The first ball, weighing 3.50 kg and moving at 10.00 m/s, collides with a stationary 5.00 kg ball, resulting in specific angles for their trajectories post-collision. Participants debate the correct calculations for the momentum and velocity of each ball after the collision, emphasizing the need to incorporate the angles into the momentum equations. There is confusion about which equations to use for momentum conservation in both the x and y directions. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of using proper physics principles and equations to solve collision problems accurately.
j doe
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Homework Statement


A 3.50 kg ball with a velocity of 10.00 m/s collides with a stationary ball with a mass of 5.00 kg. After the collision, the first ball travels at a 42.6 degree angle from its original path, while the second ball travels at a -26.7 degree angle from the other ball's original path.

1) What is the momentum of each ball after the collision?

2) What is the velocity of each ball after the collision?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


i got -1.76 m/s for the first ball and 8.24 m/s for the second ball. am i correct? and for momentum both of the balls will have a momentum of 35.00 Ns?
 
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Show your working. Otherwise there's no way for anybody to say whether you're correct without having to do the whole problem for themselves.
 
andrewkirk said:
Show your working. Otherwise there's no way for anybody to say whether you're correct without having to do the whole problem for themselves.
for the first ball i did [(3.50kg-5.00kg)(10.00m/s)] / (3.50kg+5.00kg) = -1.76 m/s and for the second ball i did [2(3.50kg)(10.00m/s)] / (3.50kg+5.00kg) = 8.24 m/s. for momentum i did p = (3.50kg)(10.00m/s)
 
You don't appear to have used the angles at all. You need to use them to get the correct answer.

Split each momentum vector into two components, one parallel to the direction of motion of the first ball (call that the ##x## direction) and the other perpendicular to it, but in the same plane as all momentum vectors before and after the collision (call that the ##y## direction).

Let ##u## and ##v## be the speeds of the large and small balls after the collision. Then write equations that specify conservation of momentum in the ##x## and ##y## directions. You will have two equations, and two unknowns, so you can solve.
 
andrewkirk said:
You don't appear to have used the angles at all. You need to use them to get the correct answer.

Split each momentum vector into two components, one parallel to the direction of motion of the first ball (call that the ##x## direction) and the other perpendicular to it, but in the same plane as all momentum vectors before and after the collision (call that the ##y## direction).

Let ##u## and ##v## be the speeds of the large and small balls after the collision. Then write equations that specify conservation of momentum in the ##x## and ##y## directions. You will have two equations, and two unknowns, so you can solve.
i'm still really confused on which two equations to use. could you please tell me and i'll try to solve it out from there?
 
j doe said:
i'm still really confused on which two equations to use. could you please tell me and i'll try to solve it out from there?

Are you really having to invent this material all by yourself? Your textbook has no examples like it? Your course notes do not do anything like it?
 
Ray Vickson said:
Are you really having to invent this material all by yourself? Your textbook has no examples like it? Your course notes do not do anything like it?
nope
 
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