Two billiard balls collide on the surface of a billiard table. The two balls are identical, with the same radius and each with a mass of 5 kg.  The first ball is moving towards the other ball at 8 m/s, the second ball is at rest.

a. What is the total momentum and energy of the system?

b. If the two balls collide head on elastically, what is the new velocity and energy for the second ball that was initially at rest?

c. After the collision, what is the momentum and energy of the first ball?

d. Instead of colliding head-on, the balls collide elastically at a 45 degree angle so that both balls can move in 2D.  What are the new velocities (in both components) for both balls after the collision?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

a The total momentum and energy of the system can be calculated before the collision The first ball ... View the full answer