Solving for Velocity and Mass in an Elastic Collision

AI Thread Summary
In an elastic collision involving a 0.220 kg softball moving at 6.7 m/s colliding with a stationary ball, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. The momentum equation is set up as m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1(final) + m2v2(final), where the second ball's initial velocity is zero. The kinetic energy equation is .5m1v1^2 + .5m2v2^2 = .5m1v1^2(final) + .5m2v2^2(final), with the initial energy of the target ball also being zero. To solve for the target ball's velocity and mass, these two equations can be combined and manipulated to isolate the unknowns. The discussion emphasizes the need to correctly apply conservation laws to find the solutions.
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A softball of mass 0.220 kg that is moving with a speed of 6.7 m/s collides head-on and elastically with another ball initially at rest. Afterward it is found that the incoming ball has bounced backward with a speed of 4.2 m/s. (Assume the positive direction is forward.)

(a) Calculate the velocity of the target ball after the collision.

(b) Calculate the mass of the target ball.

I know I have to use conservation of momentum along with conservation of energy, but I don't know how to set them up or combine the 2 equations.
 
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You are right, momentum and kinetic energy will be conserved. Can you write an equation to show that?
 
momentum equation:
initial momentum = final momentum
m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1(final) + m2v2(final)

I know that m2v2 (initial) = 0 because the target ball is at rest.

Kinetic energy equation:
initial energy = final energy
.5m1v1^2 + .5m2v2^2 = .5m1v1^2(final) + .5m2v2^2(final)

.5m2v2^2 (initial) = 0 because target ball is at rest.

How would I solve these 2 equations?
 
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