Question

A 177g air track glider moving at 0.350 m/s collides elastically with a 133-g glider initally at rest. What is the final speed of the lighter glider?

Answer 1

Given mass of glider 1 ,m₁ = 177 g =0.177kg

initial velocity of glider 1 ,u₁ =0.35m/s

mass of glider 2 ,m₂ = 133 g =0.133kg

initial velocity of glider 2 ,u₂ =0m/s

Find Final speed of glider 2 ,v₂

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Here gliders are colliding ellastically ,so linear momentum is conserved

P_initial =P_final

_{---------------------}(1)

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Now Consider Energy of the system

Total Energy is conserved

so since there is no potenial enegy

KE_initial =KE_final

Cancel 1/2

From (1)

Use formula (a-b)² =a² -2ab +b²

Solve the quadratic equation using a calulator or using quadratic equation method

Take the larger value since m₂ is less than m₁ and m₁ has a initial velocity 0.35 m/s

ANSWER:

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