Object 1 (mass=6.4 kg) traveling in the +x direction at a speed of 14.01m/s undergoes an inelastic collision with Object 2 (mass=5.10kg) which is at rest. Object two flies off at a speed of 11.94m/s and an angle θ2=49.8 °. The diagram below is just a sketch and is not meant to have accurate angles. It is possible that Object 1 travels back and to the left, though it is not possible for it to travel in the -y direction. (Do you know why?)

Question

Object 1 (mass=6.4 kg) traveling in the +x direction at a speed of 14.01m/s undergoes an inelastic collision with Object 2 (mass=5.10kg) which is at rest. Object two flies off at a speed of 11.94m/s and an angle θ2=49.8 °. The diagram below is just a sketch and is not meant to have accurate angles. It is possible that Object 1 travels back and to the left, though it is not possible for it to travel in the -y direction. (Do you know why?) 
Collision of 2-objects. Object 2 moving into fourth quadrant 
a.) What is the total momentum in x direction after the collision?
b.) What is the momentum of Object 1 in the y direction after the collision?
c.)What is the speed of Object 1 after the collision? 
d.) What is the angle θ1 in degrees? (Do not enter units)

bobpursley · Answer

You will have to do the law of conservation of momentum in two orthogonal directions, I recommend x and y.

You have two equations then, and you have two unknowns; speed of object 1 in the x, and y directions.

Get busy. A bit of algebra involved.