Collision problem /what internal forces?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on defining internal forces in a collision scenario where object A with momentum collides with object B at rest. Internal forces are identified as those acting between bodies within the system, while external forces come from outside influences like gravity or friction. Participants explore the concept of internal forces in a simplified system of two particles, questioning if forces exist during a collision and how to quantify them. The conversation also touches on the idea that internal forces may cancel out in Newtonian mechanics. Ultimately, the complexity of defining and measuring these forces in a collision context is highlighted.
Jerbearrrrrr
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Homework Statement


A moves with momentum p into B at rest. The objects collide and move off with momenta p_1, p_2 at an angle (irrelevant but anyway).
What are the internal forces in the system?

Homework Equations


F=p dot

The Attempt at a Solution


What's an internal force? Isn't it usually something like gravity (system of planets) or electromagnetic forces (system of charged particles)?

The internal forces seem to be given by a pair of dirac delta functions centre time/point of impact. Though as it's a Newtonian pair, they cancel out.
Then again, that's probably too advanced given the context of the question...

What is the marker looking for?
It could be nothing for two reasons for infinity for another reason.

Thanks
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi Jerbearrrrrr! Welcome to PF! :smile:

An internal force is any force that isn't an external force.

An external force is anything from outside, such as gravity, wind, friction with the ground.

Internal forces include the forces between two bodies in the system.

And also forces within a body, such as springiness and chemical bonds.

(of course, if the system includes the Earth, then the gravity will be an internal force :rolleyes:)
 
So suppose the universe is just two particles, A and B.
Then any force is internal, since our system is the entire universe?
So there are no internal forces (unless A and B have a mass, in which case there is the Newtonian pair of attraction)?

If two particles collide perfectly elastically, do they exert a force on each other? If so, how do we quantify this force?
There's no time scale so the formulae break down. D:

(This wasn't my homework problem, it's a friend's, who does physics. I do maths but I'm just curious.)
 

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