Question

Twopucksofequalmasscollideonafrictionlesssurface,asillustratedinthefigure.Immediatelyafterthe collision, the speed of the black puck is 1.5 m/s. What is the speed of the white puck immediately after the collision?

Answer 1

The speed of the white puck immediately after the collision is 2.6 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that,

Two pucks are equal masses.

Speed of black puck = 1.5 m/s

According to given figure,

We need to calculate the speed of the white puck immediately after the collision

Using law of conservation of momentum

`mv=m_(1)v_(1)\cos\theta+m_(2)v_(2)\cos\theta`

Put the value into the formula according to figure

`m*3=m* v_(1)*\cos30+m*1.5*\cos60`

`3m=0.866m v_(1)+0.75m`

`v_(1)=(3-0.75)/(0.866)`

`v_(1)=2.6\ m/s`

Hence, The speed of the white puck immediately after the collision is 2.6 m/s.