In the two-dimensional elastic collision of a particle with a ...

[maychende]

In the two-dimensional elastic collision of a particle with a stationary particle that has the same mass, the trajectories of the two particles after the collision are at right angles to each other. Explain why this should be so.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

If you swing a bucket of water fast enough in a vertical circle, at the highest point the water does not spill out because an outward force balances the pull of gravity on the water.
 
  A) True
  B) False

[Kjones0604]

Answer to Question 1

Since the masses are equal, conservation of momentum can be stated in the form v1 + v2 = v, which states that the three vectors form the sides of a triangle, and conservation of energy becomes v12 + v22 = v2, which says that the sum of the squares of the two sides is equal to the square of the third. That makes it a right-angled triangle, with the two sides corresponding to the final velocities at right angles to each other.

Answer to Question 2

B

[maychende]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[Kjones0604]

Great! Please up vote