Physic "elastic collision"

[dorjiako]

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I need help with this question please. 1. Two adult bighorn rams butt heads in an elastic collision. The alpha male (136kg) moves slower than his challenger (113kg). If the challenger collides at 8m/s and is repelled at 6m/s, find the kinectic energy of the system and the percent increase in speed that the alpha male experiences?

 

[kehlsh]

sum(mv)i = sum(mv)f
KEi = KEf in elastic collision

 

[dorjiako]

I know the formular but is at lost on how to find the initial velocity for the alpha male. They only said "he moves slower".

 

[costales]

The math involved here is not typical of MCAT problems.
p = mv, K = 0.5mv^2. You have to use both definitions and work out the quantities. I don't see a quick shortcut.

 

[FutureDoctor503]

I haven't checked for calculation errors but this is how it should be done.

 

[dorjiako]

I was able to follow the steps and got the answers I wanted. Thanks again for your help.