Inelastic and elastic collision problems

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving problems related to inelastic and elastic collisions involving an 8 g rubber bullet and a 2.5 kg pendulum bob. In the inelastic case, the bullet embeds into the bob, and the initial speed of the bullet can be calculated using conservation of momentum and energy principles. For the elastic collision, the bullet bounces off, and both conservation of momentum and kinetic energy are used to determine the final velocities of both the bullet and the bob. Key equations include the conservation of momentum and the conservation of energy.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum
  • Knowledge of conservation of kinetic energy
  • Familiarity with inelastic and elastic collision concepts
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of conservation of momentum in collisions
  • Learn how to apply conservation of kinetic energy in elastic collisions
  • Explore detailed examples of inelastic collision problems
  • Practice solving problems involving pendulum motion and energy transformations
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding collision dynamics and energy conservation in mechanical systems.

mdwjun
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1. An 8 g rubber bullet was fired into a 2.5 kg pendulum bob, initially at rest, and becomes embedded in it. The pendulum rises a vertical distance of 6.0 cm.Calculate the initial speed and how much kinetic energy is lost in this collision?

2. An 8 g rubber bullet was fired into a 2.5 kg pendulum bob, initially at rest, and bounces off into the opposite direction. It rises 6.0 cm vertically. (elastic case) What is the velocity of the bob after the collision? Use conservation momentum to find the change in velocity of the bullet. Use conservation of Kinetic energy to find initial velocity of bullet and final velocity of the bullet.

I heard that I needed to use the inelastic collision and the conservation of energy equation for number 1.
0.5*mass*initial velocity^2 +mass*gravitational pull* initial height=0.5*mass*final velocity^2 +mass*gravitational pull* final height.

I triedto solve but could not because i did not know the initial velocity of the bullet and the final velocity.
 
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