Calculating Collision Speeds: Billiard Ball Physics Homework Solution

[eddwinn]

Homework Statement

A billiard ball (ball 1) moving at 5.00 m/s strikes a stationary ball (ball 2) of the same mass. After the collision, Ball 1 moves at a speed of 4.35 m/s. Find the speed of ball 2 after collision

Homework Equations

Find speed

The Attempt at a Solution

The equation I am usuing m1v1=m2v2 seems like it might fit??

 

[rl.bhat]

After the collision, the balls are moving in the different directions. Resolve the momentums after collision. And solve for the velocity of m2.

 

[thomate1]

Hello,

Thank you for your question. You are correct in using the equation m1v1 = m2v2 to solve this problem. This is known as the law of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum of a closed system (in this case, the two billiard balls) remains constant before and after a collision.

To solve for the speed of ball 2 after the collision, we can rearrange the equation to solve for v2:
v2 = (m1v1)/m2

Plugging in the given values, we get:
v2 = (5.00 m/s * 0.250 kg)/0.250 kg
v2 = 5.00 m/s

Therefore, the speed of ball 2 after the collision is also 5.00 m/s. This makes sense, as the two balls have the same mass and the same speed after the collision.

I hope this helps! If you have any further questions, please let me know.