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Two billiard balls are initially traveling toward each other at speeds of 1.90 m

ID: 2152829 • Letter: T

Question

Two billiard balls are initially traveling toward each other at speeds of 1.90 m/s for ball 1 and 3.80 m/s for ball 2. The balls undergo an elastic, head-on collision. Find their final velocities.
ball 1

What is the direction on ball 1?

in the same direction it was initially going

or

oppose the direction it was initially going

What is the direction on ball 2?

in the same direction it was initially going

or

oppose the direction it was initially going


Please explain...

magnitude 1 direction 2 ---Select--- in the same direction it was initially going. opposite the direction it was initially going.

Explanation / Answer

Momentum conservation: m*1.9 - m*3.8 = m*v1 + m*v2

or v1 + v2 = -1.9............(1)

KE conservation: 1/2*m*1.9^2 + 1/2*m*3.8^2 = 1/2*m*v1^2 + 1/2*m*v2^2

or v1^2 + v2^2 = 18.05..........(2)

Solving (1) and (2), v1 = -3.8 m/s and v2 = 1.9 m/s

Hence, for ball 1, magnitude = 3.8 m/s, Direction = opposite