Final answer:
To find the speed of the 2.00-gram particle after the collision, we need to apply the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy in two dimensions considering the angle of 30.0°. However, without the velocity of the 5.00-gram particle after the collision, we cannot solve for the speed of the 2.00-gram particle.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer the student's question, we will use the principles of conservation of momentum and conservation of kinetic energy because the collision is described as having velocities that change direction after impact, suggesting that we are dealing with a perfectly elastic collision. Since the 5.00-gram particle is initially moving and the 2.00-gram particle is at rest, we can set up a system of equations that account for both the x and y components of momentum. Using the sine and cosine functions due to the angle of 30.0° will help us find the necessary components for each particle.
For an elastic collision in two dimensions:
- The total momentum in the x-direction before the collision equals the total momentum in the x-direction after the collision.
- The total momentum in the y-direction before the collision equals the total momentum in the y-direction after the collision.
- The total kinetic energy before the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after the collision.
However, to solve the problem, we would need additional information such as the velocity of the 5.00-gram particle after the collision. Without this data, we cannot provide the exact speed of the 2.00-gram particle after the collision. We can introduce the student to the above concepts and explain how they would be utilized if the complete information was provided.