In: Physics
A 0.140 kg glider is moving to the right on a frictionless, horizontal air track with a speed of 0.720 m/s. It has a head-on collision with a 0.302 kg glider that is moving to the left with a speed of 2.13 m/s. Suppose the collision is elastic.
a) Find the magnitude of the final velocity of the 0.140 kg glider. Express your answer in meters per second.
b) Find the direction of the final velocity of the 0.140 kg glider.
c) Find the magnitude of the final velocity of the 0.302 kg glider. Express your answer in meters per second.
d) Find the direction of the final velocity of the 0.302 kg glider.
Let us consider the right side direction as the positive direction and the left side direction as the negative direction.
Mass of the first glider = m1 = 0.14 kg
Mass of the second glider = m2 = 0.302 kg
Initial velocity of the first glider = V1 = 0.72 m/s
Initial velocity of the second glider = V2 = -2.13 m/s (Negative as it is directed to the left)
Final velocity of the first glider = V3
Final velocity of the second glider = V4
The collision is elastic therefore,
Coefficient of restitution = e = 1
By conservation of linear momentum,
V3 = -3.17 m/s
The negative sign indicates it is directed to the left side.
V4 = -0.32 m/s
The negative sign indicates it is directed to the left side.
a) Magnitude of the final velocity of the 0.14 kg glider = 3.17 m/s
b) Direction of the final velocity of the 0.14 kg glider = to the left
c) Magnitude of the final velocity of the 0.302 kg glider = 0.32 m/s
d) Direction of the final velocity of the 0.302 kg glider = to the left