Collisions

Question 1

Inelastic Collision

Answer 1

Objects collide and stick together, momentum is conserved but not kinetic energy

Question 2

Elastic Collision

Answer 2

Objects collide and bounce off, momentum is conserved and so is kinetic energy

Question 3

Velocity of mass 1 after an inelastic collision

Answer 3

v_1f = v_2f = (m_1v_1 + m_2v_2)/(m_1 + m_2)

Question 4

Velocity of mass 1 after an elastic collision

Answer 4

v_1f = (v_1i)(m_1 - m_2)/(m_1 + m_2) + (v_2i)(2m_2)/(m_1 + m_2)