Elastic Collisions: Can Objects Move Off Together?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion confirms that a collision where two objects move off together post-impact, such as a bullet embedding in a pendulum, cannot be classified as elastic. This conclusion is derived from the rearrangement of the conservation of momentum and conservation of energy equations. Elastic collisions require that both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, which is not the case when objects coalesce after a collision.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum
  • Knowledge of conservation of energy principles
  • Familiarity with elastic and inelastic collision concepts
  • Basic algebra for rearranging equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the differences between elastic and inelastic collisions
  • Explore real-world examples of elastic collisions
  • Learn about momentum conservation in two-dimensional collisions
  • Investigate the mathematical derivation of conservation equations
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of momentum and energy conservation in collisions.

Shark 774
Messages
42
Reaction score
0
Hi guys, just wanted to clear a few things up for myself..

By rearranging the conservation of momentum and conservation of energy equations I think I've shown that a collision that involves the colliding objects moving off together after the collision (like a bullet getting stuck in a pendulum) cannot be elastic. Is this correct?

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, that's correct.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Work Done/Energy Transferred in One Dimensional Collision
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School How to determine applied force when two objects collide? (basic physics engine)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad Moving Spacecraft propellent less?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Undergrad How do we analyze collisions involving accelerating objects?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School Understanding Physics for Coding Collision of 2 Balls
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Undergrad Momentum, Energy, and Elastic Collisions
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate Conservation of energy in Gravitation
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Undergrad Problem with understanding angular momentum
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
3K
Undergrad Question about Momentum vs. Kinetic Energy vs. Deforming In Collisions
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School One dimensional Elastic collision of two identical particle
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K