A 400g glider moving to the right at 2 m/s collides elastically with a 500g glider moving in the opposite direction at 3 m/s. find the velocity of each glider?

Question

please show work so i can understand it! thanks

Answer 1

I am not going to do algebra for you.

conservation of momentum:
400*2+500(-3)=400V1+ 500V2
solve for V1= (-700-500V2)/400
you will use this soon, below.

conservation of energy:
1/2 400*2^2+ 1/2 500(-3)^2=1/2 400 V1^2+ 1/2 500v2^2
now put your expression for V1 into the second equation, and grind it out.

Answer 2

thank you that helped a ton!