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physicspupil
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Homework Statement
A particle of mass m1 and velocity u1 collides with a particle of mass m2 at rest. The two particles stick together. What fraction of the original kinetic energy is lost in the collision?
Homework Equations
Conservation of momentum law
The Attempt at a Solution
I think this one is right but was hoping somebody could check for me... It seemed too easy, so I just wanted to make sure I'm understanding it correctly.
m1u1 = (m1 + m2)u by conservation of momentum, so u = m1u1/(m1+m2)
Ti = ½ m u1^2 and Tf = ½ (m1+m2)u^2 = m1^2 u1^2/2(m1+m2) in terms of u1
Then I found Ti – Tf = (m1m2 u1^2)/2(m1 + m2) and then found ratio of this with Ti
I got m2/(m1 + m2). Is this correct? Thanks! :)