Question

if L is the length of each string, what is the maximum height of ball E in trial 1, above the lowest position, in terms of L? (pic below)

Answer 1

https://imgur.com/a/UKTxDtA

Answer 2

considering no loss of energy and elastic collision the Ball E should rise up to the level from which ball A is released

Answer 3

the momentum that Ball A transfers to ball B is all in horizontal direction so all the energy transferred is converted into kinetic

Answer 4

had the momentum transfer been in the direction of the arrow show above there'd be some energy loss because there is no motion possible in the y direction unless the string is elastic
but in our case the momentum transfer is purely in the x direction so theres no energy loss

Answer 5

how would I solve for h in terms of L and theta?

Answer 6

you're gonna have to use trigonometry for that

Answer 7

have something like this set up but forgot how to proceed from here

Answer 8

you can use \(\cos(\theta)\) to find h

Answer 9

oh duh now I see it

cos(theta) = (L-h)/L
Lcos(theta) = L - h

h = L - Lcos(theta)

Answer 10

thanks

Answer 11

np