Answer to Question #4192 in Mechanics | Relativity for Nantu

Question

Particle [i]A[/i] of mass '[b]m[/b]' has initial velocity [b]v[/b]. After colliding with a particle [i]B[/i] of mass & '[b]2m[/b]' the particles have the following paths [i]B[/i] makes an angle [b]45[/b] degree while [i]A[/i] makes an angle [b]X[/b]. & First, & [i]A[/i] was moving straight. & Find [i][b]X[/b][/i].

Answer 1

Projections of momentum
mv=2mv'cos45 + mv'' cosx
v=2v'cos45 + v''cosx
0=2v'sin45 - v''sinx → 2v'=(v''sinx)/sin45
v=(v''sinx)/sin45 cos45 + v''cosx →
v=v'' (sinx+cosx)→ v''(1-cos^2 x + cosx)=v
→ -cos² x + cosx + 1 = v/v''
→ cos² x - cosx - (1+v/v'')=0
→ cosx=1/2 - √(1+4(1+v/v')/2


x=arccos 1/2 - √(1+4(1+v/v'') )/2.