Quick question about universal gravitation collisions.

[xoombot]

When two masses collide, assuming there are no external forces on the system of the two masses, will they collide with the same velocities or will it depend on the conserved momentum?

Edit -- Assume they're released from rest, since that's what the problem I'm working on states.

 

[Andrew Mason]

When two masses collide, assuming there are no external forces on the system of the two masses, will they collide with the same velocities or will it depend on the conserved momentum?

Edit -- Assume they're released from rest, since that's what the problem I'm working on states.

You will have to explain the whole problem. Your question is not understandable.

AM

 

[kyle8921]

Great question! The answer depends on the conservation of momentum in the system. In the absence of external forces, the total momentum of the system (the two masses) will remain constant. This means that the initial momentum of the two masses before the collision will be equal to the final momentum after the collision.

If the two masses are released from rest, their initial momentum will be zero. This means that after the collision, their final momentum will also be zero. However, this does not necessarily mean that they will have the same velocities. The final velocities of the two masses will depend on their respective masses and the nature of the collision (elastic or inelastic).

In an elastic collision, both the total momentum and the total kinetic energy of the system are conserved. In this case, the two masses will collide with equal and opposite velocities, resulting in a symmetrical rebound. However, in an inelastic collision, some of the kinetic energy will be lost and the masses may not collide with the same velocities.

So, to answer your question, the final velocities of the two masses after the collision will depend on the conservation of momentum and the nature of the collision. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.