Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 1

Physics 211: Lecture 16

Physics 211: Lecture 16
Todays Agenda
Todays Agenda
q
Elastic collisions in two dimensions
q
Examples (nuclear scattering, billiards)
q
Impulse and average force
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 2
Elastic Collision of 2 objects in 2-D Elastic Collision of 2 objects in 2-D
m
1
m
2
v v
2,i
v v
1,i
CM
V V
CM
Precollision
CM
V V
CM
v v
2,f
v v
1,f m
1
m
2
Postcollision
V V
CM
is constant since P P is conserved!!
Ice table
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 3
Energy in Elastic Collisions: Energy in Elastic Collisions:
f , 2 i , 2 f , 1 i , 1
* v * v * v * v
Recall from the previous lecture:
In 1 dimension this means:
v*
1,f
= -v*
1,i
v*
2,f
= -v*
2,i
In 2 or more dimensions:
2
f 1
2
i 1
v v
, ,
* *
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 4
Elastic Collisions: Elastic Collisions:
q
So we see that:
f , 2 i , 2 f , 1 i , 1
* v * v * v * v
CM Frame:
v*
1,f
v*
2,f

= scattering angle
v*
1,i
v*
2,i
CM
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 5
Lecture 16,
Lecture 16,
Act 1
Act 1
Elastic Collisions
Elastic Collisions
q
Consider the two elastic collisions shown below. In 1, a golf ball
moving with speed V hits a stationary bowling ball head on. In
2, a bowling ball moving with the same speed V hits a stationary
golf ball.

In which case does the golf ball have the greater speed
after the collision?
(a) (a) 1 (b) (b) 2 (c) (c) same


V
1
V
2
Golf & bowling
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 6
Lecture 16,
Lecture 16,
Act 1
Act 1
Solution
Solution
q
The speed of approach of two objects before an elastic collision
is the same as the speed of recession after colliding.
q
Since the bowling ball is much heavier than the golf ball,
its speed will be changed very little in either collision.
V
1
V
2
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 7
Lecture 16,
Lecture 16,
Act 1
Act 1
Solution
Solution
V
1
q
In case 1 the bowling ball will almost remain at rest, and the
golf ball will bounce back with speed close to V.
V
2
2V
q
In case 2 the bowling ball will keep going with speed close to
V, hence the golf ball will rebound with speed close to 2V.
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 8
2-D Elastic Collision of 2 objects 2-D Elastic Collision of 2 objects
q
Suppose we know what the pre-collision velocities are.
q
We want to find out about the motion of both objects after
the collision.

We want v
1x,f
, v
1y,f
, v
2x,f
, v
2y,f

q
What else do we know :

In an elastic collision, kinetic energy is conserved as

well as momentum. This leads to 3 equations:

E
f
= E
i

P
x,f
= P
x,i
(where P
x
= p
1x
+ p
2x
= m
1
v
1x
+ m
2
v
2x
etc)

P
y,f
= P
y,i
q
We have 3 equations and 4 unknowns:

We need more information (scattering angle, masses).

Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 9
M
2-D Elastic Collision: 2-D Elastic Collision:
Nuclear Scattering Nuclear Scattering
q
A particle of unknown mass M is initially at rest. A particle of
known mass m is shot at it with initial momentum p p
i
. After
the particles collide, the new momentum of the shot particle p p
f

is measured.

Figure out what M is in terms of p p

i
and p p
f
and m.
p p
i
at rest
p p
f
P P
m
m
M
initial
final
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 10
2-D Elastic Collision: 2-D Elastic Collision:
Nuclear Scattering Nuclear Scattering
p p
f
P P
p p
i
at rest
initial
m
M
final
y
x
We know:
p p
i
, p p
f
, m
We want to find:
P P
x
, P P
y
, M
We have 3 equations:
1) Momentum conservation in the x direction
2) Momentum conservation in the y direction
3) Energy conservation
So we can solve the problem!
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 11
Aside: Kinetic Energy Aside: Kinetic Energy
q
We know that K =
1
/
2
mv
2
Kinetic energy can also be expressed in
terms of momentum:
K =
1
/
2
mv
2



2
2
p
K
m
=
m 2
v m
2 2

m 2
) m (
2

v
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 12
2-D Elastic Collision: 2-D Elastic Collision:
Nuclear Scattering Nuclear Scattering
q
Using momentum conservation: p p
i
= p p
f
+ P P

So P
2
= (p p
i
-p p
f
)
2
p p
i
P P
p p
f
p
m
p
m
P
M
i f
2 2 2
2 2 2
+
P M
p
m
p
m
i f 2
2 2
2
2 2

_
,

q
Using kinetic energy conservation:
( ) P
i f
2
2

p p
and using
( )
M m
p p
i f
i f

1
]
1
1
p p
2
2 2
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 13
2-D Elastic Collision: 2-D Elastic Collision:
Nuclear Scattering Nuclear Scattering
q
So we find that
q
If we measure p p
i
and p p
f
and we know m we can measure M.

We can learn about something we cant see!

q
This is the basic idea behind a large body of work done in
atomic, nuclear and particle physics.
p p
i
P P
p p
f
( )
M m
p p
i f
i f

1
]
1
1
p p
2
2 2
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 14
Rutherford Backscattering Rutherford Backscattering
q
Shoot a beam of particles (helium nuclei) having known
energy E
i
into a sample of unknown composition. Measure
the energy E
f
of the particles that bounce back out at
~180
o
with respect to the incoming beam.
unknown
stuff
particle detector
(measures energy)
E
i
E
f
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 15
Rutherford Backscattering Rutherford Backscattering
q
In the 180
o
case, this simplifies significantly:
p p
i
P P
p p
f
( )
M m
p p
i f
i f

1
]
1
1
p p
2
2 2
( ) ( )( )
( )( )
M m
p p
p p
v v v v
v v v v
i f
i f
i f i f
i f i f

1
]
1
1

+ +
+
2
2 2
( )
( )
M m
v v
v v
i f
i f

( )
( )
v v
M m
M m
f i

+
E
E
M m
M m
f
i


+

_
,

2
2
i
2
f
mv
2
1
mv
2
1

Solving for M:

,
_

,
_

i
f
i
f
E
E
1
E
E
1 m
M
m
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 16
Rutherford Backscattering Rutherford Backscattering
q
Shoot a beam of particles (helium nuclei) having known
energy E
i
into a sample of unknown composition. Measure
the energy E
f
of the particles that bounce back out at
~180
o
with respect to the incoming beam.
particle detector
(measures energy)
E
i
E
f
So we learn about the mass of the nuclei
in the unknown stuff. (We learn what the
stuff is).
unknown
stuff

,
_

,
_

i
f
i
f
E
E
1
E
E
1 m
M
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 17
Rutherford Backscattering Rutherford Backscattering
q
For example: Suppose we are shooting particles that
have an initial energy of E
i
= 2 MeV at a target made of an
unknown material. The particles return with final energy
E
f
= 1.1 MeV. What is the weight of the unknown material?

m() = 4 (2 protons, 2 neutrons)

q
So M = 27

Aluminum!! (13 protons,
14 neutrons)

,
_

,
_

i
f
i
f
E
E
1
E
E
1 m
M
( )
( )
2
1.1
1
2
1 1
1 4

.
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 18
Another example of 2-D elastic Another example of 2-D elastic
collisions: Billiards. collisions: Billiards.
q
If all we know is the initial velocity of the cue ball, we dont
have enough information to solve for the exact paths after
the collision. But we can learn some useful things...
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 19
Billiards. Billiards.
q
Consider the case where one ball is initially at rest.
p p
f
p p
i
F F
P P
f
initial final
The final direction of the
red ball will depend on
where the balls hit.
v v
cm
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 20
Billiards Billiards
q
We know momentum is conserved: p p
i
= p p
f
+ P P
f
q
We also know that kinetic energy is conserved:
q
Comparing these two equations tells us that:
p
i
2
= (p p
f
+ P P
f
)
2
= p
f
2
+ P
f
2
+ 2 p p
f
P P
f

m 2
P
m 2
p
m 2
p
2
f
2
f
2
i
+
p p
f
P P
f
= 0
Therefore, P
f
and p
f
must be orthogonal!
p p
f
p p
i
P P
f
P p p
2
f
2
f
2
i
+
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 21
Billiards. Billiards.
q
The final directions are separated by 90
o
.
p p
f
p p
i
F F
P P
f
initial final
v v
cm
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 22
Billiards. Billiards.
q
So, we can sink the red ball without sinking the white ball.
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 23
Billiards. Billiards.
q
So, we can sink the red ball without sinking the white ball.
q
However, we can also scratch. All we know is that the
angle between the balls is 90
o
.
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 24
Billiards. Billiards.
q
Tip: If you shoot a ball spotted on the dot, you will sink
both balls !
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 25
Lecture 16,
Lecture 16,
Act 2
Act 2
Elastic Collisions in 2-D
Elastic Collisions in 2-D
q
A moving ball initially traveling in the direction shown hits an identical
but stationary ball. The collision is elastic.

Describe one possible direction of both balls just after the collision.
(a) (b) (c)

Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 26
Lecture 16,
Lecture 16,
Act 2
Act 2
Solution
Solution
q
In the first solution, the angle between the balls is not 90
o
.
q
In the second solution, there are no downward y components to
balance out the upward y components.
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 27
Lecture 16,
Lecture 16,
Act 2
Act 2
Solution
Solution
q
The third choice both balances the y components and has 90
o
between the final direction vectors of the two balls.

q
As a result, the third choice is the only one of the three that fits all
necessary criteria.
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 28
Collision timescales Collision timescales
q
Collisions typically involve interactions that happen quickly.
v v
f
v v
i
F F
V V
f
initial final
The balls are in contact
for a very short time.
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 29
Collision timescales Collision timescales
q
During this brief time, the forces involved can be quite large
t
1
t
2
t
5
t
4 t
3
t
p p
1
p p
2
p p
4
p p
3
= 0 = 0 p p
5
F F
2
F F
3
F F
4
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 30
Force and Impulse Force and Impulse
F
t
t
i
t
f

f
i
t
t
dt F I
t
q
The diagram shows the force vs. time for a typical collision.
The impulse, I I, of the force is a vector defined as the
integral of the force during the collision.
Impulse I I = area under this curve !
Impulse has units of Ns.
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 31
Force and Impulse Force and Impulse
F
t
t
i
t
f
dt
dP
F
t
q
Using
P P P P
P
F
d
dt
dt
d
dt
i
t
t f
t
t
t
t
f
i
f
i
f
i

I
I P
the impulse becomes:
impulse = change in momentum!
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 32
Force and Impulse Force and Impulse
q
Two different collisions can have
the same impulse since I I depends
only on the change in momentum,
not the nature of the collision.
t
i
t
f
t
F
t
F
t
t
i
t
f
t
same area
t big, F F small
t small, F F big
Egg
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 33
Force and Impulse Force and Impulse
t
i
t
f
t
F
t
F
t
t
i
t
f
t
t big, F F small
t small, F F big
soft spring
stiff spring
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 34
Lecture 16,
Lecture 16,
Act 3
Act 3
Force & Impulse
Force & Impulse
q
Two boxes, one heavier than the other, are initially at rest on a
horizontal frictionless surface. The same constant force F acts on
each box for exactly 1 second.

Which box has the most momentum after the force acts?
(a) (a) heavier (b) (b) lighter (c) (c) same


F F
light
heavy
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 35
Lecture 16,
Lecture 16,
Act 3
Act 3
Solution
Solution
F F
light
heavy
F
p
av
t

We know
p F
av
t
so
In this problem F and t are the same for both boxes!
The boxes will have the same final momentum.
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 36
Force and Impulse Force and Impulse
F
t
t
i
t
f
F
av
The time average of a force for the
time interval t = t
f
- t
i
is:
t
dt
t
1
f
i
t
t
av
I

F F
t

av
P
F

or:
q
We can use the notion of impulse to define average force,
which is a useful concept.
t
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 37
Force and Impulse Force and Impulse
t
i
t
f
t
F
t
F
t
t
i
t
f
t
t big, F F
av av
small
t small, F F
av av
big
soft spring
stiff spring
F F
av av
F F
av av
Ball-Block
Collisions
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 38
Force and Impulse: Force and Impulse:
Baseball Example Baseball Example
q
A pitcher pitches the ball (m = .7 kg)
at 145 km/hr (about 90 mph).
q
The batter makes contact with the
ball for .001 s causing the ball to
leave the bat going 190 km/hr
(about 120 mph).
q
Find the average force on the ball,
disregarding gravity.
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 39
Baseball Example Baseball Example
First convert everything to m/s:
145 km/hr = 40.28 m/s
190 km/hr = 52.78 m/s
Next find the change in momentum ( = the impulse):
P P
f
- P P
i
= (.7 kg)(52.78 m/s) - (.7 kg)(-40.28 m/s)
P P
f
- P P
i
= 65.14 kg-m/s
Finally find the average force:
N 65142
.001s
Ns 14 65
t
av

. p
F
Physics 211: Lecture 16, Pg 40
Recap of todays lecture Recap of todays lecture
q
Two-dimensional elastic collisions.
q
Examples (nuclear scattering, billiards).
q
Impulse and average force.