# Connexions

You are here: Home » Content » Collisions of Point Masses in Two Dimensions
Content endorsed by: OpenStax College

### Lenses

What is a lens?

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

#### Endorsed by (What does "Endorsed by" mean?)

This content has been endorsed by the organizations listed. Click each link for a list of all content endorsed by the organization.
• OpenStax College

This module is included in aLens by: OpenStax CollegeAs a part of collection: "College Physics"

Click the "OpenStax College" link to see all content they endorse.

#### Affiliated with (What does "Affiliated with" mean?)

This content is either by members of the organizations listed or about topics related to the organizations listed. Click each link to see a list of all content affiliated with the organization.
• Pierpont C & TC

This module is included inLens: Pierpont Community & Technical College's Lens
By: Pierpont Community & Technical CollegeAs a part of collection: "College Physics -- HLCA 1104"

Click the "Pierpont C & TC" link to see all content affiliated with them.

Click the tag icon to display tags associated with this content.

• Featured Content

This module is included inLens: Connexions Featured Content
By: ConnexionsAs a part of collection: "College Physics"

"This introductory, algebra-based, two-semester college physics book is grounded with real-world examples, illustrations, and explanations to help students grasp key, fundamental physics concepts. […]"

Click the "Featured Content" link to see all content affiliated with them.

Click the tag icon to display tags associated with this content.

### Recently Viewed

This feature requires Javascript to be enabled.

### Tags

(What is a tag?)

These tags come from the endorsement, affiliation, and other lenses that include this content.

# Collisions of Point Masses in Two Dimensions

Module by: OpenStax College. E-mail the author

Summary:

• Discuss two dimensional collisions as an extension of one dimensional analysis.
• Define point masses.
• Derive an expression for conservation of momentum along x-axis and y-axis.
• Describe elastic collisions of two objects with equal mass.
• Determine the magnitude and direction of the final velocity given initial velocity, and scattering angle.

In the previous two sections, we considered only one-dimensional collisions; during such collisions, the incoming and outgoing velocities are all along the same line. But what about collisions, such as those between billiard balls, in which objects scatter to the side? These are two-dimensional collisions, and we shall see that their study is an extension of the one-dimensional analysis already presented. The approach taken (similar to the approach in discussing two-dimensional kinematics and dynamics) is to choose a convenient coordinate system and resolve the motion into components along perpendicular axes. Resolving the motion yields a pair of one-dimensional problems to be solved simultaneously.

One complication arising in two-dimensional collisions is that the objects might rotate before or after their collision. For example, if two ice skaters hook arms as they pass by one another, they will spin in circles. We will not consider such rotation until later, and so for now we arrange things so that no rotation is possible. To avoid rotation, we consider only the scattering of point masses—that is, structureless particles that cannot rotate or spin.

We start by assuming that Fnet=0Fnet=0, so that momentum pp size 12{p} {} is conserved. The simplest collision is one in which one of the particles is initially at rest. (See Figure 1.) The best choice for a coordinate system is one with an axis parallel to the velocity of the incoming particle, as shown in Figure 1. Because momentum is conserved, the components of momentum along the xx size 12{x} {}- and yy size 12{y} {}-axes (pxandpy)(pxandpy) will also be conserved, but with the chosen coordinate system, pypy is initially zero and pxpx is the momentum of the incoming particle. Both facts simplify the analysis. (Even with the simplifying assumptions of point masses, one particle initially at rest, and a convenient coordinate system, we still gain new insights into nature from the analysis of two-dimensional collisions.)

Along the xx size 12{x} {}-axis, the equation for conservation of momentum is

p 1x + p 2x = p 1x + p 2x . p 1x + p 2x = p 1x + p 2x .
(1)

Where the subscripts denote the particles and axes and the primes denote the situation after the collision. In terms of masses and velocities, this equation is

m 1 v 1x + m 2 v 2x = m 1 v 1x + m 2 v 2x . m 1 v 1x + m 2 v 2x = m 1 v 1x + m 2 v 2x .
(2)

But because particle 2 is initially at rest, this equation becomes

m 1 v 1x = m 1 v 1x + m 2 v 2x . m 1 v 1x = m 1 v 1x + m 2 v 2x .
(3)

The components of the velocities along the xx size 12{x} {}-axis have the form vcosθvcosθ size 12{v"cos"θ} {}. Because particle 1 initially moves along the xx size 12{x} {}-axis, we find v1x=v1v1x=v1.

Conservation of momentum along the xx size 12{x} {}-axis gives the following equation:

m1v1=m1v1cosθ1+m2v2cosθ2,m1v1=m1v1cosθ1+m2v2cosθ2,
(4)

where θ1θ1 size 12{θ rSub { size 8{1} } } {} and θ2θ2 size 12{θ rSub { size 8{2} } } {} are as shown in Figure 1.

## Conservation of Momentum along the xx size 12{x} {}-axis:

m 1 v 1 = m 1 v1 cos θ 1 + m 2 v2 cos θ 2 m 1 v 1 = m 1 v1 cos θ 1 + m 2 v2 cos θ 2
(5)

Along the yy size 12{y} {}-axis, the equation for conservation of momentum is

p 1y + p 2y = p 1y + p 2y p 1y + p 2y = p 1y + p 2y
(6)

or

m 1 v 1y + m 2 v 2y = m 1 v 1y + m 2 v 2y . m 1 v 1y + m 2 v 2y = m 1 v 1y + m 2 v 2y .
(7)

But v 1yv 1y is zero, because particle 1 initially moves along the xx size 12{x} {}-axis. Because particle 2 is initially at rest, v 2yv 2y is also zero. The equation for conservation of momentum along the yy size 12{y} {}-axis becomes

0 = m 1 v 1y + m 2 v 2y . 0 = m 1 v 1y + m 2 v 2y .
(8)

The components of the velocities along the yy size 12{y} {}-axis have the form vsinθvsinθ size 12{v"sin"θ} {}.

Thus, conservation of momentum along the yy size 12{y} {}-axis gives the following equation:

0 = m 1 v 1 sin θ 1 + m 2 v 2 sin θ 2 . 0 = m 1 v 1 sin θ 1 + m 2 v 2 sin θ 2 .
(9)

## Conservation of Momentum along the yy size 12{y} {}-axis:

0 = m 1 v 1 sin θ 1 + m 2 v 2 sin θ 2 0 = m 1 v 1 sin θ 1 + m 2 v 2 sin θ 2
(10)

The equations of conservation of momentum along the xx size 12{x} {}-axis and yy size 12{y} {}-axis are very useful in analyzing two-dimensional collisions of particles, where one is originally stationary (a common laboratory situation). But two equations can only be used to find two unknowns, and so other data may be necessary when collision experiments are used to explore nature at the subatomic level.

## Example 1: Determining the Final Velocity of an Unseen Object from the Scattering of Another Object

Suppose the following experiment is performed. A 0.250-kg object m1m1 is slid on a frictionless surface into a dark room, where it strikes an initially stationary object with mass of 0.400 kg m2m2 size 12{ left (m rSub { size 8{2} } right )} {}. The 0.250-kg object emerges from the room at an angle of 45.45. size 12{"45" "." 0°} {} with its incoming direction.

The speed of the 0.250-kg object is originally 2.00 m/s and is 1.50 m/s after the collision. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the velocity (v2(v2 and θ2)θ2) of the 0.400-kg object after the collision.

Strategy

Momentum is conserved because the surface is frictionless. The coordinate system shown in Figure 2 is one in which m2m2 size 12{m rSub { size 8{2} } } {} is originally at rest and the initial velocity is parallel to the xx size 12{x} {}-axis, so that conservation of momentum along the xx size 12{x} {}- and yy size 12{y} {}-axes is applicable.

Everything is known in these equations except v2v2 and θ2θ2, which are precisely the quantities we wish to find. We can find two unknowns because we have two independent equations: the equations describing the conservation of momentum in the xx- and yy-directions.

Solution

Solving m1v1=m1v1cosθ1+m2 v2cosθ2m1v1=m1v1cosθ1+m2 v2cosθ2 and 0=m1v1sinθ1+m2v2sinθ20=m1v1sinθ1+m2v2sinθ2 for v2sinθ2v2sinθ2 and taking the ratio yields an equation (because tanθ=sinθcosθtanθ=sinθcosθ in which all but one quantity is known:

tan θ 2 = v 1 sin θ 1 v 1 cos θ 1 v 1 . tan θ 2 = v 1 sin θ 1 v 1 cos θ 1 v 1 .
(11)

Entering known values into the previous equation gives

tan θ 2 = 1 . 50 m/s 0 . 7071 1 . 50 m/s 0 . 7071 2 . 00 m/s = 1 . 129 . tan θ 2 = 1 . 50 m/s 0 . 7071 1 . 50 m/s 0 . 7071 2 . 00 m/s = 1 . 129 . size 12{"tan"θ rSub { size 8{2} } = { { left (1 "." "50"" m/s" right ) left (0 "." "7071" right )} over { left (1 "." "50"" m/s" right ) left (0 "." "7071" right ) - 2 "." "00" "m/s"} } = - 1 "." "129"} {}
(12)

Thus,

θ 2 = tan 1 1 . 129 = 311 . 312º . θ 2 = tan 1 1 . 129 = 311 . 312º . size 12{θ rSub { size 8{2} } ="tan" rSup { size 8{ - 1} } left ( - 1 "." "129" right )="311" "." 5° approx "312"°} {}
(13)

Angles are defined as positive in the counter clockwise direction, so this angle indicates that m2m2 is scattered to the right in Figure 2, as expected (this angle is in the fourth quadrant). Either equation for the xx- or yy-axis can now be used to solve for v2v2, but the latter equation is easiest because it has fewer terms.

v 2 = m 1 m 2 v 1 sin θ 1 sin θ 2 v 2 = m 1 m 2 v 1 sin θ 1 sin θ 2
(14)

Entering known values into this equation gives

v 2 = 0 . 250 kg 0 . 400 kg 1 . 50 m/s 0 . 7071 0 . 7485 . v 2 = 0 . 250 kg 0 . 400 kg 1 . 50 m/s 0 . 7071 0 . 7485 . size 12{ { {v}} sup { ' } rSub { size 8{2} } = - left ( { {0 "." "250"" kg"} over {0 "." "400"" kg"} } right ) left (1 "." "50"" m/s" right ) left ( { {0 "." "7071"} over { - 0 "." "7485"} } right ) "." } {}
(15)

Thus,

v 2 = 0 . 886 m/s . v 2 = 0 . 886 m/s . size 12{ { {v}} sup { ' } rSub { size 8{2} } =0 "." "886"" m/s"} {}
(16)

Discussion

It is instructive to calculate the internal kinetic energy of this two-object system before and after the collision. (This calculation is left as an end-of-chapter problem.) If you do this calculation, you will find that the internal kinetic energy is less after the collision, and so the collision is inelastic. This type of result makes a physicist want to explore the system further.

## Elastic Collisions of Two Objects with Equal Mass

Some interesting situations arise when the two colliding objects have equal mass and the collision is elastic. This situation is nearly the case with colliding billiard balls, and precisely the case with some subatomic particle collisions. We can thus get a mental image of a collision of subatomic particles by thinking about billiards (or pool). (Refer to Figure 1 for masses and angles.) First, an elastic collision conserves internal kinetic energy. Again, let us assume object 2 m2m2 size 12{ left (m rSub { size 8{2} } right )} {} is initially at rest. Then, the internal kinetic energy before and after the collision of two objects that have equal masses is

1 2 mv 1 2 = 1 2 mv 1 2 + 1 2 mv 2 2 . 1 2 mv 1 2 = 1 2 mv 1 2 + 1 2 mv 2 2 .
(17)

Because the masses are equal, m1=m2=mm1=m2=m size 12{m rSub { size 8{1} } =m rSub { size 8{2} } =m} {}. Algebraic manipulation (left to the reader) of conservation of momentum in the xx size 12{x} {}- and yy size 12{y} {}-directions can show that

1 2 mv 1 2 = 1 2 mv 1 2 + 1 2 mv 2 2 + mv 1 v 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 . 1 2 mv 1 2 = 1 2 mv 1 2 + 1 2 mv 2 2 + mv 1 v 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 .
(18)

(Remember that θ2θ2 size 12{θ rSub { size 8{2} } } {} is negative here.) The two preceding equations can both be true only if

mv1v2cosθ1θ2=0.mv1v2cosθ1θ2=0.
(19)

There are three ways that this term can be zero. They are

• v1=0v1=0: head-on collision; incoming ball stops
• v2=0v2=0: no collision; incoming ball continues unaffected
• cos(θ1θ2)=0cos(θ1θ2)=0: angle of separation (θ1θ2)(θ1θ2) is 90º90º after the collision

All three of these ways are familiar occurrences in billiards and pool, although most of us try to avoid the second. If you play enough pool, you will notice that the angle between the balls is very close to 90º90º size 12{"90"°} {} after the collision, although it will vary from this value if a great deal of spin is placed on the ball. (Large spin carries in extra energy and a quantity called angular momentum, which must also be conserved.) The assumption that the scattering of billiard balls is elastic is reasonable based on the correctness of the three results it produces. This assumption also implies that, to a good approximation, momentum is conserved for the two-ball system in billiards and pool. The problems below explore these and other characteristics of two-dimensional collisions.

### Connections to Nuclear and Particle Physics:

Two-dimensional collision experiments have revealed much of what we know about subatomic particles, as we shall see in Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics and Particle Physics. Ernest Rutherford, for example, discovered the nature of the atomic nucleus from such experiments.

## Section Summary

• The approach to two-dimensional collisions is to choose a convenient coordinate system and break the motion into components along perpendicular axes. Choose a coordinate system with the xx-axis parallel to the velocity of the incoming particle.
• Two-dimensional collisions of point masses where mass 2 is initially at rest conserve momentum along the initial direction of mass 1 (the xx-axis), stated by m1v1=m1v1 cosθ1+m2v2 cosθ2m1v1=m1v1 cosθ1+m2v2 cosθ2 and along the direction perpendicular to the initial direction (the yy-axis) stated by 0=m1v1y+m2v2y0=m1v1y+m2v2y.
• The internal kinetic before and after the collision of two objects that have equal masses is
1 2 mv 1 2 = 1 2 mv 1 2 + 1 2 mv 2 2 + mv 1 v 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 . 1 2 mv 1 2 = 1 2 mv 1 2 + 1 2 mv 2 2 + mv 1 v 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 .
(20)
• Point masses are structureless particles that cannot spin.

## Conceptual Questions

### Exercise 1

Figure 3 shows a cube at rest and a small object heading toward it. (a) Describe the directions (angle θ1θ1 size 12{θ rSub { size 8{1} } } {}) at which the small object can emerge after colliding elastically with the cube. How does θ1θ1 size 12{θ rSub { size 8{1} } } {} depend on bb size 12{b} {}, the so-called impact parameter? Ignore any effects that might be due to rotation after the collision, and assume that the cube is much more massive than the small object. (b) Answer the same questions if the small object instead collides with a massive sphere.

## Problems & Exercises

### Exercise 1

Two identical pucks collide on an air hockey table. One puck was originally at rest. (a) If the incoming puck has a speed of 6.00 m/s and scatters to an angle of 30.30.,what is the velocity (magnitude and direction) of the second puck? (You may use the result that θ1θ2=90ºθ1θ2=90º for elastic collisions of objects that have identical masses.) (b) Confirm that the collision is elastic.

#### Solution

(a) 3.00 m/s, 60º60º below xx size 12{x} {}-axis

(b) Find speed of first puck after collision: 0=mv1sin30ºmv2sin60ºv1=v2sin60ºsin30º=5.196 m/s0=mv1sin30ºmv2sin60ºv1=v2sin60ºsin30º=5.196 m/s

Verify that ratio of initial to final KE equals one: KE = 1 2 mv 1 2 = 18 m J KE = 1 2 mv 1 2 + 1 2 mv 2 2 = 18 m J KE KE′ = 1.00 KE = 1 2 mv 1 2 = 18 m J KE = 1 2 mv 1 2 + 1 2 mv 2 2 = 18 m J KE KE′ = 1.00

### Exercise 2

Confirm that the results of the example Example 1 do conserve momentum in both the xx size 12{x} {}- and yy size 12{y} {}-directions.

### Exercise 3

A 3000-kg cannon is mounted so that it can recoil only in the horizontal direction. (a) Calculate its recoil velocity when it fires a 15.0-kg shell at 480 m/s at an angle of 20.20. size 12{"20" "." 0°} {} above the horizontal. (b) What is the kinetic energy of the cannon? This energy is dissipated as heat transfer in shock absorbers that stop its recoil. (c) What happens to the vertical component of momentum that is imparted to the cannon when it is fired?

#### Solution

(a) 2.26m/s2.26m/s size 12{ - 2 "." "26""m/s"} {}

(b) 7.63×103J7.63×103J size 12{7 "." "63" times "10" rSup { size 8{3} } J} {}

(c) The ground will exert a normal force to oppose recoil of the cannon in the vertical direction. The momentum in the vertical direction is transferred to the earth. The energy is transferred into the ground, making a dent where the cannon is. After long barrages, cannon have erratic aim because the ground is full of divots.

### Exercise 4

Professional Application

A 5.50-kg bowling ball moving at 9.00 m/s collides with a 0.850-kg bowling pin, which is scattered at an angle of 85.85. size 12{"85" "." 0°} {} to the initial direction of the bowling ball and with a speed of 15.0 m/s. (a) Calculate the final velocity (magnitude and direction) of the bowling ball. (b) Is the collision elastic? (c) Linear kinetic energy is greater after the collision. Discuss how spin on the ball might be converted to linear kinetic energy in the collision.

### Exercise 5

Professional Application

Ernest Rutherford (the first New Zealander to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry) demonstrated that nuclei were very small and dense by scattering helium-4 nuclei (4He)(4He) from gold-197 nuclei (197Au)(197Au). The energy of the incoming helium nucleus was 8.00×1013J8.00×1013J, and the masses of the helium and gold nuclei were 6.68×1027 kg6.68×1027 kg and 3.29×1025kg3.29×1025kg, respectively (note that their mass ratio is 4 to 197). (a) If a helium nucleus scatters to an angle of 120º120º during an elastic collision with a gold nucleus, calculate the helium nucleus’s final speed and the final velocity (magnitude and direction) of the gold nucleus. (b) What is the final kinetic energy of the helium nucleus?

#### Solution

(a) 5.36×105m/s5.36×105m/s at 29.5º29.5º

(b) 7.52×1013J7.52×1013J size 12{7 "." "52" times "10" rSup { size 8{ - "13"} } J} {}

### Exercise 6

Professional Application

Two cars collide at an icy intersection and stick together afterward. The first car has a mass of 1200 kg and is approaching at 8.00m/s8.00m/s size 12{8 "." "00""m/s"} {} due south. The second car has a mass of 850 kg and is approaching at 17.0m/s17.0m/s size 12{"17" "." 0`"m/s"} {} due west. (a) Calculate the final velocity (magnitude and direction) of the cars. (b) How much kinetic energy is lost in the collision? (This energy goes into deformation of the cars.) Note that because both cars have an initial velocity, you cannot use the equations for conservation of momentum along the xx size 12{x} {}-axis and yy size 12{y} {}-axis; instead, you must look for other simplifying aspects.

### Exercise 7

Starting with equations m1v1=m1v1cosθ1+m2v2cosθ2m1v1=m1v1cosθ1+m2v2cosθ2 and 0=m1v1sinθ1+m2v2sinθ20=m1v1sinθ1+m2v2sinθ2 for conservation of momentum in the xx- and yy-directions and assuming that one object is originally stationary, prove that for an elastic collision of two objects of equal masses,

1 2 mv 1 2 = 1 2 mv 1 2 + 1 2 mv 2 2 + mv 1 v 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 1 2 mv 1 2 = 1 2 mv 1 2 + 1 2 mv 2 2 + mv 1 v 2 cos θ 1 θ 2
(21)

as discussed in the text.

#### Solution

We are given that m1=m2mm1=m2m size 12{m rSub { size 8{1} } =m rSub { size 8{2} } equiv m} {}. The given equations then become:

v 1 = v 1 cos θ 1 + v 2 cos θ 2 v 1 = v 1 cos θ 1 + v 2 cos θ 2
(22)

and

0=v1sinθ1+v2sinθ2. 0=v1sinθ1+v2sinθ2.
(23)

Square each equation to get

v 1 2 = v 1 2 cos 2 θ 1 + v 2 2 cos 2 θ 2 + 2 v 1 v 2 cos θ 1 cos θ 2 0 = v 1 2 sin 2 θ 1 + v 2 2 sin 2 θ 2 + 2 v 1 v 2 sin θ 1 sin θ 2 . v 1 2 = v 1 2 cos 2 θ 1 + v 2 2 cos 2 θ 2 + 2 v 1 v 2 cos θ 1 cos θ 2 0 = v 1 2 sin 2 θ 1 + v 2 2 sin 2 θ 2 + 2 v 1 v 2 sin θ 1 sin θ 2 .
(24)

Add these two equations and simplify:

v 1 2 = v 1 2 + v 2 2 + 2 v 1 v 2 cos θ 1 cos θ 2 + sin θ 1 sin θ 2 = v 1 2 + v 2 2 + 2 v 1 v 2 1 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 + 1 2 cos θ 1 + θ2 + 1 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 1 2 cos θ 1 + θ 2 = v 1 2 + v 2 2 + 2 v 1 v 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 . v 1 2 = v 1 2 + v 2 2 + 2 v 1 v 2 cos θ 1 cos θ 2 + sin θ 1 sin θ 2 = v 1 2 + v 2 2 + 2 v 1 v 2 1 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 + 1 2 cos θ 1 + θ2 + 1 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 1 2 cos θ 1 + θ 2 = v 1 2 + v 2 2 + 2 v 1 v 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 .
(25)

Multiply the entire equation by 12m12m size 12{ { { size 8{1} } over { size 8{2} } } m} {} to recover the kinetic energy:

1 2 mv 1 2 = 1 2 m v 1 2 + 1 2 m v 2 2 + m v 1 v 2 cos θ 1 θ 2 1 2 mv 1 2 = 1 2 m v 1 2 + 1 2 m v 2 2 + m v 1 v 2 cos θ 1 θ 2
(26)

### Exercise 8

Integrated Concepts

A 90.0-kg ice hockey player hits a 0.150-kg puck, giving the puck a velocity of 45.0 m/s. If both are initially at rest and if the ice is frictionless, how far does the player recoil in the time it takes the puck to reach the goal 15.0 m away?

## Glossary

point masses:
structureless particles with no rotation or spin

## Content actions

PDF | EPUB (?)

### What is an EPUB file?

EPUB is an electronic book format that can be read on a variety of mobile devices.

My Favorites (?)

'My Favorites' is a special kind of lens which you can use to bookmark modules and collections. 'My Favorites' can only be seen by you, and collections saved in 'My Favorites' can remember the last module you were on. You need an account to use 'My Favorites'.

| A lens I own (?)

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

| External bookmarks