Lab 6: Reflection on Conservation of Momentum in Physics

What is the magnitude of the final velocity of the second billiard ball in m/s due west?

Given the data, the magnitude of the final velocity of the second billiard ball is 4.15 m/s due west. How can we calculate this velocity using the principle of conservation of momentum?

Calculation of the Final Velocity

The final velocity of the second billiard ball can be calculated using the principle of conservation of momentum. According to this principle, the total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.

Before the collision, the momentum of the first billiard ball is 7.2 kg * 8.3 m/s = 59.76 kg m/s (due west) since velocity is a vector quantity. The momentum of the second billiard ball is 0 kg m/s (initially at rest).

After the collision, the total momentum is shared between the two balls. Since they both move due west, we can assume their velocities are the same. Let the final velocity of the second billiard ball be v m/s.

Applying the conservation of momentum, we have:

59.76 kg m/s + 0 kg m/s = 7.2 kg * v m/s + 7.2 kg * v m/s

59.76 kg m/s = 14.4 kg * v m/s

Dividing both sides by 14.4 kg, we get:

v = 59.76 kg m/s / 14.4 kg

v = 4.15 m/s

Therefore, the magnitude of the final velocity of the second billiard ball is 4.15 m/s due west, as calculated using the conservation of momentum.