Elastic collision in two dimensions

Before collision After collision

y y v1y v1

v1x

u1 u2 = 0
1
x x
m1 2
m2
v2x

v2y v2
The initial velocity,
u1 is along the x The two spheres
axis, and m2 is move off in different
initially at rest. directions. 1
 Elastic collision in two dimensions
By conservation of momentum ; y
Momentum along x-axis :
(pbc )x = (pac )x
u1 u2 = 0
m1u1x = m1v1x + m2v2x x
m1
m1u1 = m1v1 cos 1 + m2v2 cos 2 m2
Momentum along y-axis :
(pbc )y = (pac )y y v1y v
1
0 = m1v1y - m2v2y v1x
m1v1y = m2v2y 1
m1v1 sin 1 = m2v2 sin 2 2 x

By conservation of kinetic energy; v2x

m1u12 = m1v12 + m2v22 v2y v2

m1u12 = m1v12 + m2v22 2

 Elastic collision in two dimensions

Example 3.2.8
A 200 g tennis ball moving with a speed
of 15 ms-1 collides with a stationary ball
of 800 g in an elastic collision. The tennis
ball is scattered at an angle of 45o from
its original direction with speed of 5 ms-1.
Find the final velocity (magnitude and
direction) of the struck ball.

3
 Elastic collision in two dimensions

Solution Example 3.2.8

Before collision After collision

y v1y v1
y

v1x

u1 u2 = 0 1
x
m1
x 2
m2 v2x

v2y v2
u1= 15 ms-1
v1= 5 ms-1
m1= 200g m2= 800g
1= 45o, 2= ?, v2= ? 4
u1 = 15 ms-1 Elastic collision in two dimensions
v1 = 5 ms-1 Example 3.2.8
m1 = 200g m2 = 800g 1 = 45o, 2 = ?, v2 = ?
Conservation of momentum along x-axis :
(pbc )x = (pac )x
m1u1 = m1v1 cos 1 + m2v2 cos 2
0.2(15) = 0.2(5 cos 45o )+ 0.8 (v2 cos 2 )
0.8 v2 cos 2 = 3 - 0.2(5 cos 45o )
v2 cos 2 = 2.866 (i)
Conservation of momentum along y-axis :
( pbc )y = ( pac )y
0 = m1v1 sin 1 - m2v2 sin 2
m1v1 sin 1 = m2v2 sin 2
0.2(5 sin 45o ) = 0.8 v2 sin 2
0.8 v2 sin 2 = 0.2(5 sin 45o )
v2 sin 2 = 0.884 (ii) 5
 Elastic collision in two dimensions
v2 cos 2 = 2.866 (i) Example 3.2.8

v2 sin 2 = 0.884 (ii)

(ii) v2 sin 2 0.884

(i) v2 cos 2 2.866
0.884
tan 2
2.866
1 0.884
2 tan
2.866
o
2 17.14
Substitute 2 into equation (ii) ;
v2 = 3 ms-1 6
 Elastic collision in two dimensions

Example 3.2.9
A ball 2 kg shown in figure below collides
with a stationary 1 kg ball. Determine the
speed of each impact.
y y v1y v1 = ?

v1x
u1=5 m/s
u2 = 0
1 = 45o
x x
m1 = 2 kg 2= 20o
m2 = 1 kg
v2x

Answer: v2y v2 = ?

v1= 1.88 m/s , v2 = 7.82 m/s 7