Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 9 - Center of Mass and Linear Momentum - Problems - Page 253: 73

Answer

The angle between the 2 initial velocities is $120^{\circ}$.

Work Step by Step

Let the final direction of the velocity of both masses together after the collision be in the y-direction. Then, the x-values for the momentum of both masses cancel out. The total momentum in the y direction would be $\sum_y \vec{p}=mv\cos(\theta)+mv\cos(\theta)=2mv\cos(\theta)$, where $\theta$ is the angle of the velocity above the vertical or y-axis. Using conservation of momentum, the final momentum would be $(m+m)\frac{v}{2}=mv$. Since final momentum equals initial momentum, $2mv\cos(\theta)=mv$, so the value of $\theta$ would be $60^{\circ}$. Since $\theta$ is the angle from the y-axis, the angle between the 2 velocites would be $60^{\circ}+60^{\circ}=120^{\circ}$.
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