/*! 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 54 Two objects with masses \(m_{1}\... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Two objects with masses \(m_{1}\) and \(m_{2}\) approach each other with equal and opposite momenta so that the total momentum is zero. Show that, if the collision is elastic, the final speed of each object must be the same as its initial speed. (The final velocity of each object is not the same as its initial velocity, however.)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Question: Prove that the final speed of each object involved in an elastic collision with equal and opposite initial momenta is equal to its initial speed. Answer: We can prove this by using the conservation of momentum and the conservation of kinetic energy equations. By algebraic manipulation and setting up equations for both conservation laws, we arrive at the following relationships for the final and initial speeds: \(v_{1f}^2 = 2v_{1i}^2 - v_{2f}^2\) and \(v_{2f}^2 = 2v_{2i}^2 - v_{1f}^2\). These relationships indicate that the final speed of each object is equal to its initial speed.

Step by step solution

01

Conservation of momentum equations

First, we are given that the two objects have equal and opposite momenta, which means that the total momentum is zero. Let the initial velocities of the two objects be \(v_{1i}\) and \(v_{2i}\), respectively. We can write the conservation of momentum equation as: \(m_{1}v_{1i} + m_{2}v_{2i} = m_{1}v_{1f} + m_{2}v_{2f}\) Since the total momentum is zero, this can be simplified to: \(m_{1}v_{1i} = -m_{2}v_{2i}\) (1)
02

Conservation of kinetic energy equations

Since the collision is elastic, the total kinetic energy is conserved. The conservation of kinetic energy equation is given by: \(\frac{1}{2}m_{1}v_{1i}^2 + \frac{1}{2}m_{2}v_{2i}^2 = \frac{1}{2}m_{1}v_{1f}^2 + \frac{1}{2}m_{2}v_{2f}^2\) This equation can be simplified to: \(m_{1}v_{1i}^2 = m_{1}v_{1f}^2 + m_{2}(v_{2f}^2 - v_{2i}^2)\) (2)
03

Make a substitution

Use equation (1) to eliminate one of the variables from equation (2). Divide equation (1) by \(m_{1}\) and solve for \(v_{1i}\): \(v_{1i} = -\frac{m_{2}}{m_{1}}v_{2i}\) Now substitute this expression for \(v_{1i}\) in equation (2): \(m_{1}\left(-\frac{m_{2}}{m_{1}}v_{2i}\right)^2 = m_{1}v_{1f}^2 + m_{2}(v_{2f}^2 - v_{2i}^2)\)
04

Simplify the equation

Simplify the equation obtained in Step 3: \(m_{1}\frac{m_{2}^2}{m_{1}^2}v_{2i}^2 = m_{1}v_{1f}^2 + m_{2}(v_{2f}^2 - v_{2i}^2)\) \(m_{2}v_{2i}^2 = m_{1}v_{1f}^2 - m_{2}v_{2i}^2 + m_{2}v_{2f}^2\) \(m_{2}v_{2i}^2 + m_{2}v_{2i}^2 = m_{1}v_{1f}^2 + m_{2}v_{2f}^2\)
05

Final velocities

Now, we can write the final expression for the final velocities: \(v_{1f}^2 = \frac{2m_{2}}{m_{1}}v_{2i}^2 - v_{2f}^2\) From equation (1), we know that \(v_{1i}^2 = \left(\frac{m_{2}}{m_{1}}v_{2i}\right)^2\), so we can write: \(v_{1f}^2 = 2v_{1i}^2 - v_{2f}^2\) Similarly, using equation (1) again, we can write: \(v_{2f}^2 = 2v_{2i}^2 - v_{1f}^2\) This proves that the final speed of each object is equal to its initial speed since it shows a relationship between the final and initial speeds for both objects.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A 0.15-kg baseball traveling in a horizontal direction with a speed of $20 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}$ hits a bat and is popped straight up with a speed of \(15 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s} .\) (a) What is the change in momentum (magnitude and direction) of the baseball? (b) If the bat was in contact with the ball for 50 ms, what was the average force of the bat on the ball?
A 0.030 -kg bullet is fired vertically at \(200 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) into a 0.15 -kg baseball that is initially at rest. The bullet lodges in the baseball and, after the collision, the baseball/ bullet rise to a height of $37 \mathrm{m} .$ (a) What was the speed of the baseball/bullet right after the collision? (b) What was the average force of air resistance while the baseball/bullet was rising?
Puck 1 sliding along the \(x\) -axis strikes stationary puck 2 of the same mass. After the elastic collision, puck 1 moves off at speed \(v_{1 f}\) in the direction \(60.0^{\circ}\) above the \(x\)-axis; puck 2 moves off at speed $v_{2 f}\( in the direction \)30.0^{\circ}\( below the \)x\(-axis. Find \)v_{2 \mathrm{f}}\( in terms of \)v_{1 f}$
A pole-vaulter of mass \(60.0 \mathrm{kg}\) vaults to a height of $6.0 \mathrm{m}$ before dropping to thick padding placed below to cushion her fall. (a) Find the speed with which she lands. (b) If the padding brings her to a stop in a time of \(0.50 \mathrm{s},\) what is the average force on her body due to the padding during that time interval?
Block \(A,\) with a mass of \(220 \mathrm{g},\) is traveling north on a frictionless surface with a speed of \(5.0 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s} .\) Block \(\mathrm{B}\) with a mass of \(300 \mathrm{g}\) travels west on the same surface until it collides with A. After the collision, the blocks move off together with a velocity of \(3.13 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) at an angle of \(42.5^{\circ}\) to the north of west. What was \(\mathrm{B}\) 's speed just before the collision?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.