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? asked in Science & MathematicsPhysics · 6 years ago

Do I have these Physics properties correct?

In simplest physics terms (not accounting for friction or minor loss) assuming total energy transfer... a 100 gram ball moving at 4 mph striking a stationary ball 25 grams.

Would the small ball move at 16mph after collision? (4x faster becasue 1/4 mass?)

or

would it move at the maximum 4mph and the added energy would remain in the larger ball?

Thank you all.

4 Answers

Relevance
  • 6 years ago

    If all of the kinetic energy of the 100 gram ball is transferred to the 25 gram ball during the collision, the 100 gram ball’s velocity after the collision would be 0 m/s. To determine the velocity of the 25 gram ball after the collision, we need to determine the initial kinetic energy of the 100 gram ball.

    KE = ½ * m * v^2

    One mph = 0.447 m/s

    v = 4 * 0.447 = 1.788

    KE = ½ * 0.1 * 1.788^2 = 0.1598472

    ½ * 0.025 * v^2 = 0.1598472

    v^2 = 0.1598472 ÷ 0.0125= 12.78776

    v = 3.576 m/s

    This is not 4 times the velocity of the 100 gram ball.

    3.756 2 ÷1.788 = 2

    This is 2 times the velocity of the 100 gram ball. This is because kinetic energy is directly proportional to the square of the velocity.

    Initial momentum = 0.1 * 1.788 = 0.1788

    Final momentum = 0.025 * v

    0.025 * v = 0.1788

    v = 0.1788 ÷ 0.025 = 7.152

    7.152 ÷ 1.788 = 4

    If we use conservation of momentum, the velocity of the 25 gram ball is 4 times the initial velocity of the 100 gram ball. Let’s determine the kinetic energies.

    For the 100 gram ball, KE = ½ * 0.1 * 1.788^2 = 0.1598472 J

    For the 25 gram ball, KE = ½ * 0.025 * 7.152^2 = 0.6393888 J

    This is impossible. The kinetic energy of the 25 gram ball can’t be greater than the kinetic energy of the 100 gram ball. This means the 100 gram ball must have kept on moving after the collision. The only way to solve this problem is to assume the collision is elastic. In this type of collision, kinetic energy is conserved. This means only part of the 100 gram ball’s kinetic energy will be transferred to the 25 gram ball.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    6 years ago

    If you assume total energy transfer, you will violate conservation of momentum.

    If, instead, you assume NO ENERGY LOSS, then this is an elastic collision, and

    Vcm = P/Σm = 100*4/(100+25) = 3.2 mph

    V25 = Vcm + Vcm = 6.4 mph and

    V100 = Vcm - (4 - 3.2) = 2.4 mph

    Check: 6.4*25 = 160;.....(4 - 2.4)*100 = 160

    Each ball has the same dP

  • 6 years ago

    The key words are: ASSUMING TOTAL ENERGY TRANSFER.

    If all of the energy is transferred to the small ball, then the large ball would be motionless.

    With conservation of momentum:

    M(i-large) = 100 g * 4 mph = 400 g*mph

    M(i-small) = 25 g * 0 mph = 0 g*mph

    M(i) = 400 g*mph + 0 g*mph = 400 g*mph

    M(f) = 100 g * 0 mph + 25 g * x mph = 0 + 25 g * x mph = 400 g*mph

    25x = 400

    x = 16

    Therefore v(f-small) = 16 mph.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    6 years ago

    which sort of collision ?

    if anelastic, then just momentum is conserved

    0.1*4 = (0.1+0.025)*V..they both proceed with same versus and speed

    if elastic, then also energy is conserved

    0.05*4^2 = 0.05*Va^2+0.0125Vb^2

    0.1*4 = 0.1*Va+0.025Vb

    solving this twin equation system we get Vb = 6.40 mph and Va = 2.40 mph

    they both proceed with same versus and different speeds

    The momentum variation ΔI experienced by the bigger ball ((4-2.4)*100 = 160 g*mph) is exactly equal to the momentum variation experienced by the smaller ball (6.4*25 = 160 g*mph)

    The energy variation ΔI experienced by the bigger ball ((4^2-2.4^2)*50 = 512 g*(mph)^2) is exactly equal to the energy variation experienced by the smaller ball (6.4^2*12.5 = 512 g*(mph)^2)

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