Question #77676
Two identical balls traveling parallel to the x-axis have speeds of 30 cm/s and are oppositely directed. They collide perfectly elastically. After collision, one ball is moving at an angle of 30°; above the +x-axis. Find its speed and the velocity of the other ball.
Am I supposed to take the angle 30 into consideration while doing the calculations?
Am I supposed to take the angle 30 into consideration while doing the calculations?
Expert's answer
When two identical balls have equal speeds and are oppositely directed collide perfectly elastically their final speeds will be the same.
v_1=30 cm/s.
From the conservation of momentum:
v_2=30 cm/s.
The second ball is moving at an angle of 30° below the -x-axis.
v_1=30 cm/s.
From the conservation of momentum:
v_2=30 cm/s.
The second ball is moving at an angle of 30° below the -x-axis.
