Energy Sharing in Elastic Collisions

In summary, the conversation discusses a collision between two objects, one stationary and one moving at a certain velocity. The question asks about the percentage of original energy each object has after the collision, assuming it is perfectly elastic. Two principles, kinetic energy and momentum, can be used to calculate this. The conversation also discusses simplifying notation and applying the principles to solve for the final velocities of the objects.
  • #1
fire526438
3
0
A stationary object with mass mb is struck head-on by an object with mass ma that is moving initially at speed v0.
If the collision is elastic, what percentage of the original energy does each object have after the collision?

I don't know how to find percentage.
 
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  • #2
Is the collision assumed to be perfectly elastic? i.e. is the total kinetic energy assumed to be conserved?
 
  • #3
kinetic energy conserved
 
  • #4
There are two principles you can use. Do you know which principles?
 
  • #5
kinetic energy & momentum
but how to calculate
 
  • #6
Correct.
First I would simplify the notation.
Why not call the stationary mass M and the other mass m.
Let m have intial velocity u and let final velocities of m be v and that of M be w.
Now apply those two principles.
 
  • #7
conservation of KE: (1/2)mu[itex]^{2}[/itex] = ...
conservation of linear momentum: mu =...
 

1. What is meant by energy sharing in elastic collisions?

Energy sharing in elastic collisions refers to the exchange of energy between two objects that collide and the resulting distribution of that energy between the two objects. In an elastic collision, the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved, meaning that the sum of the kinetic energies of the two objects before the collision is equal to the sum of their kinetic energies after the collision.

2. How does energy sharing differ in elastic and inelastic collisions?

In elastic collisions, the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved, meaning that the energy is shared equally between the two objects. In inelastic collisions, some energy is lost as heat or sound, resulting in a decrease in the total kinetic energy of the system. Therefore, the energy is not shared equally between the two objects in an inelastic collision.

3. What factors affect the amount of energy shared in an elastic collision?

The amount of energy shared in an elastic collision depends on the mass and velocity of the two objects involved. Objects with larger masses have more kinetic energy, so they will transfer more energy to the other object during the collision. Objects with higher velocities also have more kinetic energy and will therefore transfer more energy to the other object in the collision.

4. How does the angle of collision affect energy sharing in elastic collisions?

The angle of collision does not affect energy sharing in elastic collisions. In an elastic collision, the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved regardless of the angle at which the two objects collide. This means that the energy will still be shared equally between the two objects regardless of the angle of collision.

5. Can energy be shared in a one-dimensional elastic collision?

Yes, energy can be shared in a one-dimensional elastic collision. In a one-dimensional collision, the two objects are moving along the same line and have the same initial and final velocities. The total kinetic energy of the system is still conserved, and the energy is shared equally between the two objects.

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