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twentysix26
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So there is a particle with m1 that hits a particle m2 at rest, they bounce off at angles theta1 and theta2 from the horizontal. The original problem proposes that you can find the mass of the second particle from knowing the first particle, and the angles that they both make from the horizontal after the elastic collision. So i solved the equation when m1 = 20 and theta1 = 55.6 degrees and theta2 = 50 degrees, and i found out that m2 = 40.
But what I am trying to find is an easier way to solve, so a formula to discover the ratio of the two masses from the total angle after the elastic collision
So conservation of momentum in x-direction:
m1v (before)= m1v1cos(theta1) + m2v2cos(theta2) (after)
y-direction:
m1v1sin(theta1) - m2v2sin(theta2) = 0
conservation of KE:
1/2(m1)(v^2) = 1/2(m1)(v1^2) + 1/2(m2)(v2)^2
help please
But what I am trying to find is an easier way to solve, so a formula to discover the ratio of the two masses from the total angle after the elastic collision
So conservation of momentum in x-direction:
m1v (before)= m1v1cos(theta1) + m2v2cos(theta2) (after)
y-direction:
m1v1sin(theta1) - m2v2sin(theta2) = 0
conservation of KE:
1/2(m1)(v^2) = 1/2(m1)(v1^2) + 1/2(m2)(v2)^2
help please