Which Has More Momentum and Kinetic Energy After a Perfectly Elastic Collision?

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In summary, the conversation discusses a scenario where a marble with mass M collides with a bowling ball with mass 100M in a perfectly elastic collision. The question is which object would have higher momentum and kinetic energy after the collision. The conversation also touches on the difference between elastic and perfectly elastic collisions and how to express this mathematically in order to calculate the final speeds, momentum, and kinetic energy.
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goonking
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Homework Statement


A marble with mass M rolls into a bowling ball with mass 100M, assuming the collision is perfectly elastic, which object would have higher momentum? higher Kinetic energy?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


First of all, what's the difference between an elastic and PERFECTLY elastic collision? aren't they both defined as one in which there is no loss of kinetic energy in the collision?

So, the marble should bounce back and have a negative Velocity, therefore negative momentum, which means the momentum of the bowling ball should be higher even if it doesn't move (but it should, just barely).

This is where I'm stumped. should the KE of the marble be equal to that of the bowling ball? I imagine the bowling ball having an extremely small velocity to make up for the extreme difference in mass.
 
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  • #2
goonking said:
First of all, what's the difference between an elastic and PERFECTLY elastic collision? aren't they both defined as one in which there is no loss of kinetic energy in the collision?
Yes, saying perfectly elastic collision is a bit redundant. (But clear!)

How can you express that mathematically, so you can figure out the final speeds, momentum, and kinetic energy?
 

What is a perfectly elastic problem?

A perfectly elastic problem is a type of economic problem that assumes that the quantity demanded or supplied of a good or service will change drastically in response to a small change in price. This means that the demand or supply curve will be perfectly horizontal, indicating that the quantity is infinitely responsive to price.

What are some characteristics of a perfectly elastic problem?

Some characteristics of a perfectly elastic problem include a perfectly horizontal demand or supply curve, a constant price, and infinite responsiveness of quantity to price changes. In a perfectly elastic problem, even a small change in price can cause a dramatic change in the quantity demanded or supplied.

What are some examples of perfectly elastic problems?

Examples of perfectly elastic problems include commodities such as wheat, rice, or oil. These goods have many substitutes and their prices are highly responsive to changes in supply and demand. Another example is the market for luxury goods, where consumers are willing to switch to a different brand or product if the price of their preferred brand increases even slightly.

What are the implications of a perfectly elastic problem?

One implication of a perfectly elastic problem is that the market for the good or service is perfectly competitive. This means that there are many buyers and sellers, and no individual buyer or seller has the power to influence the market price. Another implication is that the producer of the good or service must be very sensitive to changes in market price, as even a small increase in price can result in a significant decrease in demand and revenue.

How is a perfectly elastic problem different from an inelastic problem?

A perfectly elastic problem is the opposite of an inelastic problem, where the quantity demanded or supplied is relatively unresponsive to changes in price. In an inelastic problem, the demand or supply curve is steep, indicating that a change in price has little effect on the quantity. This is typically seen in markets for essential goods such as food or medicine, where consumers are willing to pay a higher price for these goods regardless of changes in supply or demand.

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