Mechanics: Momentum and Collisions

Momentum and Collisions: Audio Guided Solution

Problem 25:

Abbey and Mia are in the basement playing pool. On Abbey's recent shot, the cue ball was moving east at 82 cm/s when it struck the slower 5-ball moving in the same direction at 24 cm/s. The 5-ball immediately speeds up to 52 cm/s. Determine the post-collision speed of the cue ball.

Audio Guided Solution

Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

• Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
• Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., m = 1.50 kg, v_i = 2.68 m/s,  F = 4.98 N, t = 0.133 s, v_f = ???.
• Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
• Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
• Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

Read About It!

Get more information on the topic of Momentum and Collisions at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

• Momentum Conservation Principle
• Isolated Systems
• Collision Analysis

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