Consider an elastic collision of two particles as in | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Classical Mechanics

Chapter 4 Problem 4.46

Question

Consider an elastic collision of two particles as in Example 4.8 (page 143), but with unequal masses, \(m_1\ne m_2\). Show that the angle \(\theta\) between the two outgoing velocities satisfies \(\theta<\pi/2\) if \(m_1>m_2\), but \(\theta>\pi/2\text{ if }m_1<m_2\).

Solution

Step 1 of 2

Let’s consider an elastic collision between two unequal masses, , and initially the mass  is at rest.

Let the initial velocity of mass  be , and the final velocities of mass are  and  respectively.

Apply the law of conservation of momentum.

                                                     

Square both sides of the equation (1).

                                          

Apply the Law of conservation of kinetic energy.

                                                    

Write the equation (3) as follows.

                                                     

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full solution

Title Classical Mechanics 0 
Author John R Taylor
ISBN 9781891389221

Consider an elastic collision of two particles as in

Chapter 4 textbook questions

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