2D Conservation of Momentum Example using Air Hockey Discs

The video tutorial covers a two-dimensional conservation of momentum problem using air hockey disks. It begins with setting up the problem, followed by calculating velocity components using trigonometry. The conservation of momentum is applied in both x and y directions to find the final velocity of the red disk. The tutorial also analyzes whether the collision is elastic by checking the conservation of kinetic energy. The session concludes with a light-hearted discussion about Movie Character Day costumes.

What is the mass of the yellow air hockey disk?

What is the initial velocity of the red disk before the collision?

How do you label the disks in this problem?

What is the angle of the yellow disk's final velocity relative to East?

What is the final velocity of the yellow disk after the collision?

What is the formula for conservation of momentum in the x direction?

How do you calculate the final velocity of disk 2 in the x direction?

What is the final velocity of disk 2 in the y direction?

What needs to be true for a collision to be considered elastic?

What percentage of kinetic energy was dissipated during the collision?