Question

A 2.00-kg ball is moving at 2.20 m/s toward the right. It collides elastically with a 4.00-kg ball that is initially at rest. 1) Calculate the final velocity of the 2.00-kg ball. (Express your answer to three significant figures.)

Answer 1

Elastic collision is when kinetic energy before = kinetic energy after

Ek= 1/2mv^2

total before
Ek=1/2(2)(2.2^2) = 4.84 J

total after
Ek= 1/2(2+4)(v^2) = 3v^2

Before = after
4.84=3v^2 | divide by 3
121/75 = v^2 | square root both sides
v=1.27 m/s