Purchase Solution

Elastic Collision of two atoms in two dimensions

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Please help me solve the following:

An atom of mass m moving in the x direction with speed v collides elastically with an atom of mass 3m at rest. After the collision, the first atom moves in the y direction. Find the direction of motion of the second atom and the speeds of both atoms (in terms of v) after the collision.
-----------------

I came up with:
1. m1v1i=m2v2f*cos(theta) ---------> x-direction
2. 0 = m1v1f + m2v2f*sin(theta) ----> y-direction
3. (1/2)m1v1i^2 = (1/2)m1v1f^2 + (1/2)m2v2f^2

I tried to square the momentum equations and add them (in order to get cos^2 + sin^2 = 1) and I also tried to take the ratio of the momentum equations to solve for theta, but I can't get the correct answers.

Correct answers: v1f = v/sqrt(2); v2f = v/sqrt(6); theta = -35.3

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

I have provided detailed explanation in finding the final velocities and angles of two atoms which collide in elastically in two dimensional space.

Solution Preview

Following is the text part of the solution. Please see the attached file for complete solution. Equations, diagrams, graphs and special characters will not appear correctly here. Thank you for using Brainmass.
===============================================================================

1. m1v1i=m2v2f*cos(theta) ---------> ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Intro to the Physics Waves

Some short-answer questions involving the basic vocabulary of string, sound, and water waves.

Variables in Science Experiments

How well do you understand variables? Test your knowledge of independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and controlled variables with this 10 question quiz.

Basic Physics

This quiz will test your knowledge about basic Physics.

Classical Mechanics

This quiz is designed to test and improve your knowledge on Classical Mechanics.

The Moon

Test your knowledge of moon phases and movement.