Define: Elastic collisions are collisions between object's in which the total momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. The total momentum and kinetic energy is constant throughout the collision. The total kinetic energy and momentum before the collision equals the total kinetic energy and momentum after the collision.
Units: (based or derived):
Example: A truck and a car have an elastic collision. The initial momentum of the 1000 kg car is 20,000 kg m/s. The initial momentum of the 3000 kg truck is 60,000 kg m/s in the opposite direction. After the truck and car collide, what will be the final momentum of the car? The total system momentum before the collision is -40,000 kg m/s because 20,000 - 60,000 = -40,000 When the truck collides with the car, the truck's momentum is subtracted from that of the car. 20,000 - 60,000 =-40,000 The final momentum of the car is -40,000 kg m/s, the same as the total system momentum before the collision. The total momentum in the system was conserved.
Unlike Inelastic collisions, elastic collisions is when.... Elastic collisions are collisions in which the total system momentum and kinetic energy is conserved. Inelastic collisions are collisions in which the total system kinetic energy is not conserved. Some or all of the kinetic energy in an inelastic collision is converted to some other form of energy.
Elastic collisions:
Define: Elastic collisions are collisions between object's in which the total momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. The total momentum and kinetic energy is constant throughout the collision. The total kinetic energy and momentum before the collision equals the total kinetic energy and momentum after the collision.
Units: (based or derived):
Example:
A truck and a car have an elastic collision. The initial momentum of the 1000 kg car is 20,000 kg m/s. The initial momentum of the 3000 kg truck is 60,000 kg m/s in the opposite direction. After the truck and car collide, what will be the final momentum of the car? The total system momentum before the collision is -40,000 kg m/s because 20,000 - 60,000 = -40,000 When the truck collides with the car, the truck's momentum is subtracted from that of the car. 20,000 - 60,000 =-40,000 The final momentum of the car is -40,000 kg m/s, the same as the total system momentum before the collision. The total momentum in the system was conserved.
Unlike Inelastic collisions, elastic collisions is when.... Elastic collisions are collisions in which the total system momentum and kinetic energy is conserved. Inelastic collisions are collisions in which the total system kinetic energy is not conserved. Some or all of the kinetic energy in an inelastic collision is converted to some other form of energy.
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Sources http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/momentum/cthoe.cfm http://www.physics247.com/physics-help/inelastic-collision.shtml http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/momentum/cthoi.cfm