Physics
Question:
A 0.200kg ball moves with a velocity of 0.3m/s. It collides with a second ball that is at rest and has a mass of 0.1kg. After the collision, the velocity of 0.1kg ball is 0.26m/s. What is the new velocity of the first ball.
Please indicate which equation you use, what variable corresponds to each number, and how you got the number that goes with the variable.
Thanks!
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Answers
Answer: The equation used in this situation is the law of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum of a system remains the same before and after a collision (provided no external forces are acting on it). The equation is: m1 * v1 + m2 * v2 = m1 * v1' + m2 * v2' Where: m1 = Mass of first ball (0.200kg) v1 = Velocity of first ball prior to collision (0.3m/s) m2 = Mass of second ball (0.1kg) v2 = Velocity of second ball prior to collision (0m/s) v1’ = Velocity of first ball after the collision v2’ = Velocity of second ball after the collision (0.26m/s) Using the equation, we can solve for v1’: 0.2 * 0.3 + 0.1 * 0 = 0.2 * v1' + 0.1 * 0.26 0.06 = 0.2 * v1' v1' = 0.3m/s
