Final speed of two billiard balls

In summary, the final speed of two billiard balls is affected by factors such as initial speed, mass, angle of collision, elasticity, air resistance, and friction. It can vary depending on these factors and can be calculated using the principles of conservation of momentum and energy. The final speed can be greater than the initial speed in certain cases, and it greatly affects gameplay by determining the direction and speed of the balls after a collision.
  • #1
pebbles
95
0
Both have mass of .5 kg and speed of 2.8 m/s; collide completely inelastically

Do I use the conservation of momentum formula? v2= m1/m1 + m2 * v1?

Ugh.
 
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  • #2
Use conservation of momentum. (Not sure about that formula, though.) Why not post the exact problem?
 
  • #3
A billiard ball with mass .5 kg has a speed of 2.8 m/s and collides completely inelastically with a ball of same mass.

Find the final speed of two balls.


What formula do you know for the conservation of momentum?
Thanks!
 
  • #4
The formula you quoted will work fine for this problem.
 
  • #5
yaaay! ok. that's a lot!
 

Related to Final speed of two billiard balls

1. What factors affect the final speed of two billiard balls?

The final speed of two billiard balls is affected by several factors, including the initial speed of the balls, the mass of the balls, the angle at which they collide, and the elasticity of the balls and the table. Other factors such as air resistance and friction can also play a role in determining the final speed.

2. Is the final speed of two billiard balls always the same?

No, the final speed of two billiard balls can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. If the balls collide at an angle, the final speed will be different from a head-on collision. Additionally, the type of material the balls are made of can also affect the final speed.

3. How can the final speed of two billiard balls be calculated?

The final speed of two billiard balls can be calculated using the principles of conservation of momentum and energy. The formula for calculating the final speed takes into account the initial speed, mass, and angle of collision of the balls, as well as the coefficient of restitution (a measure of the elasticity of the balls and the table).

4. Can the final speed of two billiard balls be greater than the initial speed?

Yes, the final speed of two billiard balls can be greater than the initial speed if the collision is perfectly elastic and the angle of collision is just right. In this case, the two balls will bounce off each other with their maximum possible speed, resulting in a final speed that is greater than the initial speed.

5. How does the final speed of two billiard balls affect gameplay?

The final speed of two billiard balls can greatly affect gameplay, as it determines the direction and speed of the balls after a collision. Players must take into account the final speed of the balls in order to accurately predict where the balls will end up and plan their next shot accordingly. The final speed also plays a role in how the balls interact with other balls on the table, leading to more complex and strategic gameplay.

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