Head-on Collision of Unequal Masses: Difference between revisions
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===The Equations Behind It=== | ===The Equations Behind It=== | ||
The most common type of head-on collision of unequal masses studied is an elastic collision, and if this is the case kinetic energy is conserved. What this means is that the total final kinetic energy of the system is equal to the total initial kinetic energy of the system. In equations, it looks like this: <math>{1 \over 2}m_1v_1i^2 + {1 \over 2}m_2v_2i^2 = {1 \over 2}m_1v_1f^2+ {1 \over 2}m_2v_2f^2 | The most common type of head-on collision of unequal masses studied is an elastic collision, and if this is the case kinetic energy is conserved. What this means is that the total final kinetic energy of the system is equal to the total initial kinetic energy of the system. In equations, it looks like this: <math>{1 \over 2}m_1v_1i^2 + {1 \over 2}m_2v_2i^2 = {1 \over 2}m_1v_1f^2+ {1 \over 2}m_2v_2f^2 . | ||
What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic. For example <math>{\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net}</math> where '''p''' is the momentum of the system and '''F''' is the net force from the surroundings. | What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic. For example <math>{\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net}</math> where '''p''' is the momentum of the system and '''F''' is the net force from the surroundings. | ||
Revision as of 15:26, 27 November 2015
Main Idea
The two main types of collisions are elastic and inelastic collisions, but these are very broad as there are many much more specific types of collisions under these umbrella terms. One of the specific types of collisions is head-on collisions of unequal masses. This is exactly what it sounds like - two objects of different masses collide with each other head-on, and this causes some changes in kinetic energy and speed. This can be thought of as two different types of cars colliding with each other, but to make the visualization a bit easier, think about a ping pong ball colliding with a bowling ball.
Elastic head-on collision between a car and truck
The Equations Behind It
The most common type of head-on collision of unequal masses studied is an elastic collision, and if this is the case kinetic energy is conserved. What this means is that the total final kinetic energy of the system is equal to the total initial kinetic energy of the system. In equations, it looks like this: [math]\displaystyle{ {1 \over 2}m_1v_1i^2 + {1 \over 2}m_2v_2i^2 = {1 \over 2}m_1v_1f^2+ {1 \over 2}m_2v_2f^2 . What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic. For example \lt math\gt {\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net} }[/math] where p is the momentum of the system and F is the net force from the surroundings.
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