Prediction of Motion After Ideal Collision - Masses M & m

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The discussion focuses on the prediction of motion after an ideal collision between two bodies of mass M and m, moving with velocities V and v, respectively. It emphasizes that while perfectly elastic collisions, where kinetic energy is conserved, are theoretical constructs, real-world collisions often involve energy loss, characterized by the coefficient of restitution. The conversation highlights the importance of material properties such as rigidity and density in determining collision outcomes, noting that rigidity refers to stiffness, while density pertains to mass per unit volume. The participants suggest that understanding these concepts is crucial for accurate predictions in collision scenarios.

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  • Understanding of kinetic energy and its conservation laws
  • Familiarity with the coefficient of restitution in collision physics
  • Knowledge of material properties, specifically rigidity and density
  • Basic principles of motion and forces in a vacuum environment
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  • Study the coefficient of restitution and its applications in real-world scenarios
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Physics students, material scientists, and engineers interested in collision dynamics and energy conservation principles.

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A body of mass M moves with velocity V and collides with a body of mass m moving at v.Given,the conditions are ideal(vaccum),can you find everything that happens next like final speed,acceleration,distance moved ...etc?

Thanks in advance for any help...
 
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Is the collision perfectly elastic, i.e., there is no loss of kinetic energy?
 
Even if there is,doesn't that depend on the objects...
I have given a unique situation so the prediction will also be unique.Isn't that right?
 
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In reality, a perfectly elastic collision does not exist (with the exception of some large-scale interactions like the slingshot type gravitational interactions between satellites and planets), but models are used for simplicity to get useful results that are very close to reality. We normally deal with the loss of kinetic energy with a coefficient of restitution, which needs to be specified. Some problems (such as collisions in ideal gases approach perfectly elastic collisions, as do scattering interactions of sub-atomic particles which are deflected by the electromagnetic force) are sufficiently close to perfectly elastic that they can be approximated as such. In this case, the coefficient of restitution equals to one.

When two rubber balls collide for example, some of the kinetic energy is lost when the balls are deformed, which converts some of the kinetic energy to internal thermal energy, where the interiors of the balls are heated by the collision.

I suggest reading this article:

Collision - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You will find other links to follow for further information.
 
So it depends on the nature of the object,right?
Ah!Yes.Its obvious!1kg of cotton colliding with any other object is not same as the same object colliding with 1kg of dense iron...
 
I think it's more a matter of rigidity than density, but yes, it depends on the nature of the objects.(Nod)
 
Aren't both the same?rigidity and density?
 
No, aluminum is much more rigid than gold, but far less dense.

Rigidity is stiffness, whereas density is mass (or sometimes weight) per unit volume.
 
MarkFL said:
Rigidity is stiffness

something related to friction?
 
  • #10
No, rigidity relates more to resistance to deformation. A rigid object is less likely to bend under pressure, or be dented by collisions.
 

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