Why can't we use cons of energy in this problem? (conceptual)

  • Thread starter Thread starter jackspicer
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Conceptual Energy
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the collision of two pucks on a frictionless air-hockey table, where puck A (3.0 kg) initially travels at 3.5 m/s and puck B (5.0 kg) is at rest. After the collision, puck A moves at 2.5 m/s at an angle of 30 degrees from its initial direction. The key conclusion is that conservation of energy cannot be applied in this scenario because the collision is elastic, meaning kinetic energy is conserved, but the total energy must account for both momentum and kinetic energy separately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of elastic and inelastic collisions
  • Familiarity with momentum conservation principles
  • Basic knowledge of vector components in physics
  • Ability to perform calculations involving mass and velocity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of conservation of momentum in elastic collisions
  • Learn how to calculate final velocities using vector decomposition
  • Explore the differences between elastic and inelastic collisions in detail
  • Practice problems involving two-dimensional collisions in physics
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of collisions, particularly in elastic scenarios.

jackspicer
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Two pucks collide on a frictionless air-hockey table. Initally, puck A is traveling at 3.5 mls and puck B is at rest. After the collision, puck A moves away at a speed of 2.5 m/s and an angle of 30.0 from the initial direction. Find the final velocity of puck B. Puck A has a mass of 3.0 kg and puck B has a mass of 5.0 kg.

I know how to do the problem, but we can't we apply the conservation of energy methods because it is an elastic collision?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In inelastic collisions you can't use conservation of energy.
 
He says that it is an elastic collision.
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
4K