- #1
bsmith2000
- 19
- 0
Why is it that when a small object traveling at velocity v, when colliding with a much larger object traveling at velocity w, ends up with a final velocity of 2w + v? What happens to the velocity of the large object?
I have seen the math behind this, but conceptually, I don't see how this works. I figured the small object would bounce off with a relative velocity of -v, thus making the actual velocity w-v. What is the flaw in this reasoning?
I have seen the math behind this, but conceptually, I don't see how this works. I figured the small object would bounce off with a relative velocity of -v, thus making the actual velocity w-v. What is the flaw in this reasoning?