Elastic head-on collision physics

In summary, the conversation discusses a problem involving two billiard balls in an elastic head-on collision. The first ball is traveling at 4.0 m/s and collides with a stationary ball of equal mass. The resulting question is what is the speed of the second ball after the collision. The solution involves finding the momentum of both balls and dividing by their combined mass. The final answer is that the second ball will also be traveling at 4.0 m/s.
  • #1
Eminem04
2
0
I need help with this problem. I tried it myself but I'm not sure if it's correct ( i got 4 m/s )
A billiard ball traveling at 4.0 m/s has an elastic head-on collision with a billiard ball of equal mass that is initially at rest. The first ball is at rest after the collision. What is the speed of the second ball after the collision?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
How did you get your answer?
 
  • #3
I got my answer by using M*Vi=M*Vf
 
Last edited:
  • #4
First you what to find the momentum of both cars then divide that answer by the combined mass of the two cars. But in your case since you have one car moving and one is stationary the answer is half of your moving cars velocity.
 
  • #5
Kacper's response about "cars" confuses me!


Eminem04: Yes, your answer is completely correct. Since the two balls have the same mass and one stopped completely, the other continues forward with the same speed as the initial ball. (In a sense, it just "replaces" the first ball.)
 

FAQ: Elastic head-on collision physics

What is an elastic head-on collision?

An elastic head-on collision is a type of collision where two objects collide with each other and bounce off each other without any loss of kinetic energy. This means that the total kinetic energy before the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after the collision.

How is the momentum conserved in an elastic head-on collision?

In an elastic head-on collision, the momentum is conserved because the total momentum of the objects before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This is because the objects bounce off each other with equal and opposite velocities, resulting in a change in direction but not magnitude of their momentum.

What factors affect the outcome of an elastic head-on collision?

The outcome of an elastic head-on collision is affected by the masses and velocities of the objects involved. Objects with larger masses or higher velocities will have a greater impact on the outcome of the collision.

How is energy conserved in an elastic head-on collision?

In an elastic head-on collision, the total energy (kinetic plus potential) is conserved. This means that the total energy before the collision is equal to the total energy after the collision.

What is the difference between an elastic and inelastic head-on collision?

The main difference between an elastic and inelastic head-on collision is that in an inelastic collision, there is a loss of kinetic energy and the objects involved may stick together after the collision. In an elastic collision, there is no loss of kinetic energy and the objects bounce off each other with no deformation.

Similar threads

How to Calculate Speed of Head of Driver After Collision?
Replies
10
Views
2K
Ambiguous question on momentum and how it works...
Replies
13
Views
316
Solving the Elastric 3-Body Collision Problem
Replies
2
Views
2K
How Do You Solve for Final Velocities in Elastic Collisions?
Replies
20
Views
2K
Speed of charged balls after collision
Replies
13
Views
631
Conservation of Momentum involving Vf, elastic collisions
Replies
6
Views
1K
Elastic collision - Trigonometry equations
Replies
4
Views
3K
Why momentum of a ball bounced off a wall increases twice fold?
Replies
9
Views
3K
Physics Help with elastic collision
Replies
5
Views
2K
Elastic collision with pendulum
Replies
4
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top