Question: Two balls of equal masses reach undergo oblique collision.

If collision is perfectly elastic,

then angle between their velocities after collision is

Answer: Let the velocity of the ball be v. the component of the velocity approaching 2 nd ball is
v cos .

When head on elastic collision takes place between equal masses, velocities are
exchanged. The velocity of approach in the oblique collision is v cos

So, one ball will have v cos and the other will remain with the component parallel to
surface of collision. There is no impulse parallel to the surface so the velocity of the original
ball remains unchanged in this direction.

So, angle between them is .
2

In fact ALWAYS in case of oblique elastic collision between equal masses the two
velocities are perpendicular to each other.