Question

A ping pong ball has an initial velocity of . It collides with a golf ball that has an initial velocity of . After their collision, the golf ball has a velocity of . What is the final velocity of the ping pong ball after the collision?

Answer 1

The final velocity of the ping pong ball after the collision can be calculated using the principle of conservation of momentum.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an elastic collision, the total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.

Let's assume that the ping pong ball has a mass of m1 and an initial velocity of v1, and the golf ball has a mass of m2 and an initial velocity of v2.

Using the principle of conservation of momentum, we have:

m1 * v1 + m2 * v2 = m1 * v1f + m2 * v2f

Since the golf ball is at rest after the collision, its final velocity (v2f) is 0.

Therefore, the equation becomes: m1 * v1 + m2 * v2 = m1 * v1f.

Rearranging the equation, we get: v1f = (m1 * v1 + m2 * v2) / m1.

So, the final velocity of the ping pong ball after the collision is (m1 * v1 + m2 * v2) / m1.