Particle Collisions in Two Dimensions
To analyze collisions in two dimensions, we will need to adapt the methods we used for a single dimension. To start, the conservation of momentum equation will still apply to any type of collision.
| \[ m_{A} \vec{v_{Af}}+m_{B} \vec{v_{Bf}}= m_{A} \vec{v_{Ai}}+m_{B} \vec{v_{Bi}}\] |
This is of course a vector equation, so we can break all those velocities into components to make our one vector equation into two scalar equations. In the equations below, we break the conservation of momentum equation into x and y components.
| \[m_{A} v_{Afx}+m_{B} v_{Bfx}= m_{A} v_{Aix}+m_{B} v_{Bix}\] |
| \[m_{A} v_{Afy}+m_{B} v_{Bfy}= m_{A} v_{Aiy}+m_{B} v_{Biy}\] |
In the subscripts for the velocities we label the particle (A or B), the pre or post collision state (i or f) as well as the component (x or y). This triple subscript can make things a bit crowded, but as long as you are methodical about labeling and reading these subscripts it is fairly straightforward. To help ease interpretation, it's recommended that you follow a consistent ordering in the subscripts, labeling body, then pre/post collision, then direction.
To supplement the conservation of momentum equations, we will again need to determine the type of collision, classifying the collision as inelastic (where the two particles stick together after impact) or elastic or semi-elastic (where the particles bounce off of one another).
Inelastic Collisions:
In the case of inelastic collisions, the bodies will have the same final velocity as a consequence of sticking together. Rolling this relationship into the above conservation of momentum equations, we wind up with the following equations. These modified equations are usually enough to solve for the unknowns in the equations.
| \[m_{(A+B)} v_{fx}= m_{A} v_{Aix}+m_{B} v_{Bix}\] |
| \[m_{(A+B)} v_{fy}= m_{A} v_{Aiy}+m_{B} v_{Biy}\] |
Elastic and Semi-Elastic Collisions:
Unlike the inelastic collisions, elastic and semi-elastic collisions will have separate velocities for each of the bodies post-collision. With each body having separate x and y components, this represents four unknown variables. Assuming we know all starting conditions, we will need four separate equations to solve for all unknowns.
Unlike the conservation of momentum equation, the conservation of energy equation we would use for elastic collisions is not a vector equation and cannot be broken down into components. Instead we will need to look to the coefficient of restitution, and set it equal to 1 for elastic collisions.
To solve these problems, we will first need to set up a specific set of coordinate axes. These axes will be the tangential direction (along the plane of the collision) and the normal direction (perpendicular to the plane of the collision). An example of these directions is shown in the figure below.
In examining the figure above, we can see something special about the tangential direction in that there are no forces on either body in this direction. With no forces, there is no impulse, and with no impulse there is no change in momentum for either particle individually in the tangential direction. This means that velocity is conserved for each body in the tangential direction on it's own. Adding to that, momentum as a whole is conserved in the normal direction and the coefficient of restitution equation can be applied to the normal direction and we have the four equations we need to solve most problems.
| \[v_{Atf}=v_{Ati}\] |
| \[v_{Btf}=v_{Bti}\] |
| \[m_{A} v_{Afn}+m_{B} v_{Bfn}= m_{A} v_{Ain}+m_{B} v_{Bin}\] |
| \[e=-\frac{v_{Afn}-v_{Bfn}}{v_{Ain}-v_{Bin}}\] |
To use the above equations, we will need to break all known velocities down into n and t components, then simply plug those values in and solve the above equations. In the end we may also need to convert the found n and t velocity components into x and y components or magnitudes and directions.
