Does anyone know the formula to find the angle after a collision?

In summary: It would be helpful to know what information was omitted in order to better understand the example.Where did you find the example?
  • #1
ILoveParticlePhysics
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I think it has to do with conversation of momentum and projectile motion.
 
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  • #2
ILoveParticlePhysics said:
Summary:: Let's say you have a 1kg ball going 5km per hour going straight into the middle of 2 5kg balls, what will be the angle and the speed of every ball after the collision?

Note: I just want the formula not the answer for the actual summary :).

I think it has to do with conversation of momentum and projectile motion.
Is this your homework?
 
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  • #3
ILoveParticlePhysics said:
Note: I just want the formula not the answer for the actual summary :).
How is "the formula" different from "the answer"?
 
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  • #4
PeroK said:
Is this your homework?
No. The example was an example not homework.
 
  • #5
kuruman said:
How is "the formula" different from "the answer"?
There isn't, old me said that so people wouldn't think that it is homework which it isn't.
 
  • #6
Usually, the answer to problems of this sort is a formula when numbers are not given and a number if numbers are given. Here you are asking for an answer in the form of a formula. Having said all this, the only answer to your question is "It depends" because you have not given enough information. Ideally, there will be a 3-way split of the initial energy and momentum, the angles of the 5 kg balls relative to the initial direction of the 1 kg ball will be equal in magnitude, but in opposite quadrants and the speeds of the 5 kg balls will be equal. All that is deduced theoretically from symmetry. Practically, it will be a different story. In real life, you cannot expect to have a three-way collision so that all three balls are in contact for the same time interval. One collision will be completed before that other and that will skew the result. Even in ideal conditions, the statement of the problem should provide more information. The scattering angle will depend on the radii of the balls because the velocity of a target ball at rest will be in the direction of the line joining the centers of the projectile and target ball.
 
  • #7
ILoveParticlePhysics said:
No. The example was an example not homework.
Where did you find the example? The reason I ask is because the example is not well stated.
 

FAQ: Does anyone know the formula to find the angle after a collision?

What is the formula for finding the angle after a collision?

The formula for finding the angle after a collision is given by the law of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This can be represented as: m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1' + m2v2', where m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects involved in the collision, v1 and v2 are their initial velocities, and v1' and v2' are their final velocities.

How do I determine the initial and final velocities in the formula?

The initial velocities can be determined by measuring the velocities of the objects before the collision, using tools such as speedometers or motion sensors. The final velocities can be calculated by using the formula v = d/t, where v is the final velocity, d is the distance traveled, and t is the time taken.

Is the formula applicable to all types of collisions?

The formula is applicable to elastic collisions, where the total kinetic energy of the objects is conserved. In inelastic collisions, some of the kinetic energy is transferred into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound, and the formula may not apply.

What are the units for the variables in the formula?

The units for the masses (m) are typically measured in kilograms (kg) and the units for velocity (v) are measured in meters per second (m/s). Therefore, the units for the momentum (m1v1 and m2v2) are kg*m/s. The units for the angle in the formula will depend on the type of angle being measured (degrees, radians, etc.).

How accurate is the formula for finding the angle after a collision?

The formula is an idealized representation of collisions and may not always accurately predict the angle after a collision in real-world scenarios. Factors such as air resistance, friction, and the deformability of objects can affect the accuracy of the formula. It is important to consider these factors and use caution when applying the formula to real-world situations.

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