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Statement

$1.4.9.$ The body hits the wall with velocity $v$ and angle $\alpha$ to the line perpendicular to the wall. Determine the velocity of the body after an elastic impact if the wall is:

a) stationary;

b) moving perpendicular to itself at a speed $w$ towards the body;

c) moving at an angle $\beta$ to the line perpendicular to it at a speed $w$ towards the body.

 For problem $1.4.9$
For problem $1.4.9$

Solution

$a)$ Since the collision is elastic, then according to the Law of Conservation of Momentum:

$$v \sin\alpha = u \sin\alpha$$ $$\fbox{$v = u $}$$

$б)$ Further, this problem is a little reminiscent of 1.4.8.

In the frame of reference associated with the wall, the relative velocity of the ball $\vec{v_{rel}} = \vec{v} - \vec{w}$. During elastic reflection, passing into the earth's frame of reference, the velocity is equal to $\vec{u} = \vec{v} - 2\vec{w}$.

Working with vector quantities is clearly demonstrated below

 Illustration of the ball's velocities
Illustration of the ball's velocities
Illustration of the ball's velocities

Let's find the projections of the vector $\vec{u}$ on the horizontal and vertical axes:

$$u_y = v \sin\alpha$$ $$u_x = v \cos\alpha + 2w$$

Using the Pythagorean theorem, we find the modulus of the vector $\vec{u}$

$$u = \sqrt{u_x^2+u_y^2}$$ $$u = \sqrt{(v \sin\alpha )^2 + (v \cos\alpha + 2w)^2}$$ $$\fbox{$u=\sqrt{v^{2}+4vw\cos\alpha +4w^{2}}$}$$

$в)$ Similar to the previous subparagraph

$$\vec{u} = \vec{v} - 2\vec{w}$$

We will show these vectors in the figure

 Illustration of the ball's velocities
Illustration of the ball's velocities
Illustration of the ball's velocities

We will find the projections of the vector $\vec{u}$ on the horizontal and vertical axis:

$$u_y = v \sin\alpha - 2w \sin\beta$$ $$u_x = v \cos\alpha + 2w \cos\beta$$

Using the Pythagorean equation, we find the modulus of the vector $\vec{u}$ $$u = \sqrt{u_x^2+u_y^2}$$ $$u = \sqrt{(v \sin\alpha - 2w \sin\beta )^2 + (v \cos\alpha + 2w \cos\beta )^2}$$ $$\fbox{$u=\sqrt{v^{2}+4vw\cos\alpha\cos\beta +4w^{2}\cos^{2}\beta}$}$$

Answer

$\text{a) } u=v.\quad\text{b) } u=\sqrt{v^{2}+4vw\cos\alpha +4w^{2}}.\quad\text{c) } u=\sqrt{v^{2}+4vw\cos\alpha\cos\beta +4w^{2}\cos^{2}\beta}.$