Collision In 2D

Question 1

Describe collision in 2D.

Answer 1

Momentum in any direction is conserved ie. The sum of momentum in the x-direction before collision is equal to the sum of momentum after collision.

In the x-axis direction:
mA uA + mB vB = mA vA cos angle 2 + mB vB cos angle 1

In the y-axis direction:
0 = mA vA sin angle 2 - mB vB sin angle 1

Can also be drawn in a vector diagram to represent the momentum vectors.