Elastic Collision Problem involving KE

AI Thread Summary
In an elastic collision between a light and a heavy object, the distribution of kinetic energy (KE) depends on both mass and velocity. KE is conserved, meaning the total KE before and after the collision remains constant. The light object may have a high velocity, allowing it to carry significant KE, while the heavy object may have a low velocity, resulting in less KE despite its mass. The outcome varies based on their initial speeds; if both have equal speeds, the heavier object will have more KE, but if the lighter object is faster, it can possess more KE. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for analyzing elastic collisions effectively.
sj12390
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


In a collision a light object and a heavy object (elastic) which one has more KE? Does the answer depend on the initial speeds?

Homework Equations



Conservation of KE

The Attempt at a Solution



Since this is an elastic collision, KE is conserved. However, I was thinking that it would be impossible to tell which carries away with more of the KE because KE is determined based on mass AND velocity. While the light object might have a tiny mass, it could be traveling extremely fast and likewise, the heavy object could have a huge mass, but it could also be traveling extremely slowly. I'm just not sure if this is the correct logic, though. Any help would be appreciated!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
You could answer this question like, "If the two intial speeds are equal then..." and then answer the second part by saying, "If the initial speed of the lighter object is greater than that of the heavy object then..." and vce versa.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Elastic Collision and Momentum of Ice Skaters
Replies
16
Views
3K
Elastic Collision of Hydrogen and Carbon Atoms
Replies
9
Views
2K
Question regarding inelastic/elastic collision.
Replies
2
Views
2K
Elastic and inelstic collisions conceptual questions.
Replies
6
Views
3K
Can total KE ever increase for inelastic collisions?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Bobsled Impulse and Force -- ELASTIC collision problem
Replies
10
Views
2K
Physics Help with elastic collision
Replies
5
Views
2K
Kinetic energy and momentum in an elastic collision
Replies
22
Views
3K
Complex collision with masses and Velcro
Replies
4
Views
2K
Inelastic and elastic collision (please explain)
Replies
1
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top