An inelastic collision results in a loss of total kinetic energy of the two-object system. In an inelastic collision, the objects stick together after impact and move with one common velocity, whereas in an elastic collision the total kinetic energy is conserved. Some example calculations of momentum and velocity are provided for perfectly inelastic collisions between objects of different masses and initial velocities.
An inelastic collision results in a loss of total kinetic energy of the two-object system. In an inelastic collision, the objects stick together after impact and move with one common velocity, whereas in an elastic collision the total kinetic energy is conserved. Some example calculations of momentum and velocity are provided for perfectly inelastic collisions between objects of different masses and initial velocities.
An inelastic collision results in a loss of total kinetic energy of the two-object system. In an inelastic collision, the objects stick together after impact and move with one common velocity, whereas in an elastic collision the total kinetic energy is conserved. Some example calculations of momentum and velocity are provided for perfectly inelastic collisions between objects of different masses and initial velocities.
An inelastic collision results in a loss of total kinetic energy of the two-object system. In an inelastic collision, the objects stick together after impact and move with one common velocity, whereas in an elastic collision the total kinetic energy is conserved. Some example calculations of momentum and velocity are provided for perfectly inelastic collisions between objects of different masses and initial velocities.
Perfectly Inelastic Collisions: To begin a collision: To restart a collision:
Take some time to familiarize yourself with 1D inelastic collisions. Play. Investigate. Learn. Contrast an inelastic collision with an elastic collision. ______________________________________________ Complete the below table without the simulation and check your work in the simulation.
m1 m2 v1 v2 ptotal v12’ 1.20 kg 1.20 kg +1.50 m/s -1.80 m/s
2.40 kg 4.80 kg +1.30 m/s 7.00 kgm/s
1.50 kg 5.50 kg +3.20 m/s +.800 m/s
2.50 kg 1.20 m/s 0.0 m/s
Describe the effect of an inelastic collision on the total kinetic energy of the two-object system.
1. A collision where both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved is an elastic / inelastic collision.
2. A 500. gram cart moving at 0.360 m/s has how much momentum? (careful...units!) ______________
3. If the above 500. gram cart was to bounce back and return with a velocity of -0.240 m/s, what is its change in
momentum? ______________
4. How fast must a 250. gram cart be traveling to have a momentum of 0.450 kgm/s? ______________
5. A 0.230 kg baseball is thrown with a speed of 41 m/s. What is the ball’s momentum? ______________
6. If the above ball comes to rest in the catcher’s mitt in 0.085 seconds, how much force does the ball apply on the
catcher’s mitt? (hint: use the impulse-momentum theorem) ______________
7. Imagine you are ice skating with your BFF. Both of you at rest, when you shove him/her away from you. You have a
mass of 65 kg and he/she has a mass of 55kg. When you shove off, you move away with a velocity of 2.0 m/s. With what
velocity does your BFF move away from you? ______________
8. If a 250. gram cart moving to the right with a velocity of +0.31 m/s collides inelastically with a 500. gram cart traveling to
the left with a velocity of -0.22 m/s, what is the total momentum of the system before the collision? ______________
9. What is the resulting velocity of the above two-car system (stuck together)? ______________ 10. A 9.0 kg bowling ball races down the lane at 15 m/s before striking a bowling pin (at rest) with a mass of 0.85 kg. If the
0.85 kg pin bounces backward with a velocity of 45 m/s, what is the velocity of the bowling ball after the collision?
