/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 72 An object collides elastically w... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

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An object collides elastically with an equal-mass object initially at rest. If the collision isn't head-on, show that the final velocity vectors are perpendicular.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The final velocity vectors are perpendicular when an elastic collision occurs between two equal-mass objects not in a direct head-on collision. This is due to the conservation laws of momentum and kinetic energy, which follow the pattern of the Pythagorean theorem indicating perpendicularly.

Step by step solution

01

Setup

Let's denote the initial velocity of the moving object as \(v_1\) and let's set the initial velocity of the stationary object as \(v_2=0\). We can represent the final velocities after the collision as \(v_1'\) for the initial moving object and \(v_2'\) for the initial stationary object.
02

Applying Conservation of Momentum

Because the system experiences an elastic collision, the principle of conservation of momentum applies here. This principle can be expressed by the equation: \(mv_1+mv_2 = mv_1'+mv_2'\). Given \(v_2=0\) as the initial condition, the equation simplifies to \(v_1 = v_1' + v_2'\).
03

Applying Conservation of Kinetic Energy

Since this collision is elastic, the conservation of kinetic energy also applies. We can express this principle as: \(\frac{1}{2}mv_1^2 + \frac{1}{2}mv_2^2 = \frac{1}{2}mv_1'^2+\frac{1}{2}mv_2'^2\). Given \(v_2=0\) as the initial condition, the equation simplifies to \(v_1^2 = v_1'^2 + v_2'^2\).
04

Comparing the Two Equations

Upon comparing the equations obtained from Steps 2 and 3, we notice that this follows the pattern of the Pythagorean theorem, where \(v_1\) is the hypotenuse and \(v_1'\) and \(v_2'\) are the remaining sides of a right-angled triangle; hence the vectors \(v_1'\) and \(v_2'\) are perpendicular.

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