Reduced mass for an infinite mass and a finite mass?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
1 reply · 6K views
cbjewelz
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


We have a collision between a finite mass steel ball and an infinite mass steel wall and must find the maximum compression if we are given the mass of the ball, the initial speed and the constant b (See eq. below).


Homework Equations


We know that the maximum compression for two spheres colliding is given by
Em=((5/4b)uv^2)^5/2 where v is the initial velocity upon collision and u is the reduced mass u=m1m2/(m1+m2). b is a constant.


The Attempt at a Solution


Now my only question is what to use as the reduced mass. Mathematically by putting in infinity as m2 we get a reduced mass of 1. Is this correct?
 
Physics news on Phys.org