Bouncing vs Non-Bouncing Collisions: Impulse Delivery Impact

[kmax12]

Why is more impulse delivered during a collision when bouncing occurs than during one when it doesn't?

 

[hage567]

What do you think the reason might be?

 

[ogb p]

Bouncing and non-bouncing collisions are two types of collisions that occur between objects. In a bouncing collision, the objects involved bounce off each other after the initial impact, while in a non-bouncing collision, the objects do not bounce off each other and remain in contact after the initial impact.

The difference between the two types of collisions lies in the amount of impulse delivered during the collision. Impulse is the product of the force applied and the time it is applied for, and it is a measure of the change in momentum of an object. In a bouncing collision, the objects experience a larger change in momentum and therefore a larger impulse compared to a non-bouncing collision.

This is because in a bouncing collision, the objects are in contact for a shorter period of time compared to a non-bouncing collision. This means that the force of the impact is applied for a shorter duration, resulting in a larger force being applied to the objects. This larger force leads to a larger change in momentum and therefore a larger impulse.

In addition, in a bouncing collision, the objects involved are able to deform and store some of the kinetic energy of the impact as potential energy, which is then released as the objects bounce off each other. This transfer of energy also contributes to a larger change in momentum and impulse.

Overall, the combination of a shorter contact time and energy transfer in a bouncing collision results in a larger impulse being delivered compared to a non-bouncing collision. This can have significant implications in various fields such as sports, engineering, and even in understanding the behavior of particles at the atomic level.