What Speed and Angle Does m2 Leave After Collision?

  • Thread starter Thread starter texan14
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Momentum
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 2K views
texan14
Messages
7
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A mass "m1" moves along the x-axis with velocity of magnitude v0 on a frictionless table. It strikes another mass m2 which is initially at rest. The mass m1 goes off along the y-axis. If half the original kinetic energy is lost in the collision, with what speed and at what angle does m2 leave the point of collision?

Homework Equations



1/2KE(initial) = KE(final)
(1/2)Pix=Pfx
(1/2)Piy=Pfy

The Attempt at a Solution



Pix=vom1
Pfx=u2m2cosθ
Piy=0
Pfy=u1m1 - u2m2sinθ

I think these are the initial and final components of momentum, but I don't know how to find θ and u2 in terms of known variables.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hi texan14! :smile:
texan14 said:
1/2KE(initial) = KE(final)
(1/2)Pix=Pfx
(1/2)Piy=Pfy

Pix=vom1
Pfx=u2m2cosθ
Piy=0
Pfy=u1m1 - u2m2sinθ

you seem to be confusing KE and momentum :confused:

what is your KE equation?​