If the collision is not head-on, but the angle that the initial velocity vector of the superball makes with the wall is $\theta$ , the angle the final velocity vector makes with the same plane is A) $\theta$ D) unknown; insufficient information is given for an unambiguous answer.

Question

If the collision is not head-on, but the angle that the initial velocity vector of the superball makes with the wall is $\theta$ , the angle the final velocity vector makes with the same plane is
A) < $\theta$
B) = $\theta$
C) > $\theta$
D) unknown; insufficient information is given for an unambiguous answer.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

For an elastic collision, such as that of a superball with a wall, the angle of incidence ($\theta$) is equal to the angle of reflection. This is a consequence of the conservation of momentum and energy, assuming the wall does not move and the collision is perfectly elastic.

If the Collision Is Not Head-On, but the Angle That θ\thetaθ

If the Collision Is Not Head-On, but the Angle That $\theta$