Conservation (momentum and ke)

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In a perfectly elastic collision between two atoms, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved at the initial and final states, although kinetic energy is temporarily transferred to the repulsive field during the collision. The total energy remains conserved throughout the process, with the repulsive field storing and later returning the kinetic energy to the atoms. This behavior mirrors that of a mass-spring oscillator, where energy is exchanged between kinetic and potential forms. Understanding these principles is essential in physics, particularly in analyzing atomic interactions. The discussion highlights the nuances of energy conservation in elastic collisions.
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When two atoms collide, and no bonding takes place, i.e. a perfectly elastic collision, would both momentum and kinetic energy be conserved?
 
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Infrasound said:
i.e. a perfectly elastic collision
Well, yes. That's the definition of an elastic collision.
 
The kinetic energy is not conserved throughout the process like the momentum, but it is the same at t=-infinity and t=infinity if the two particles are not interacting at those "moments" (i.e. long before and long after the collision).

The total energy is conserved throughout the collision, though.
 
In between the end points (but most especially right around the collision) the kinetic energy is transferred the the repulsive field pushing the atoms apart. This field momentarily stores the energy and then by pushing on the atoms, the energy is delivered back as kinetic again.

This is also what happens in a mass-spring oscillator.
 

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