# Elastic collision with pendulum

1. Oct 27, 2016

### Jrlinton

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A steel ball of mass 0.890 kg is fastened to a cord that is 50.0 cm long and fixed at the far end. The ball is then released when the cord is horizontal, as shown in the figure. At the bottom of its path, the ball strikes a 2.50 kg steel block initially at rest on a frictionless surface. The collision is elastic. Find (a) the speed of the ball and (b) the speed of the block, both just after the collision.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
So first found the velocity of the ball just before it collided with the block:
V=(2*g*L*(1-cosΘ))^0.5
V=(2*9.81*0.5*(1-cos45))^0.5
V=2.873 m/s

So then I used that to find the velocity of the block using elastic collision formulas:
V2f= (2*m1)/(m1+m2)*V1i
= (2*0.89)/(0.89+2.5)*2.873
=1.51 m/s

And then for the velocity of the ball following the collision:
V1f=(m1-m2)/(m1+m2)*V1i
=(0.89-2.5)/(0.89+2.5) * 2.873
=-1.37 m/s

I used these solutions (the absolute value of the vel of the ball as it asked for speed) and that was incorrect.
Now I did try and double check myself and found that with these numbers momentum is conserved so what am I missing here?

2. Oct 27, 2016

### CWatters

I haven't checked your attempt at a solution in any detail but a Cos(45) term seems odd given the rope starts horizontal and the collision is at the bottom?

You mention a figure but none provided.

3. Oct 27, 2016

### jbriggs444

Without seeing the drawing, it is hard to be sure, but I see no 45 degree angle in the problem description.

Edit: Drat you, speedy @CWatters!

4. Oct 27, 2016

### Jrlinton

Youre right. it should've been 90 degrees as it was raised to the horizontal. I am not sure why I used 45. Other than that the method should hold, no?

5. Oct 27, 2016

### Jrlinton

So using the correct Θ of 90 degrees I get the final velocity of the block to be 1.64 m/s and that of the ball to be -1.49 m/s.
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