Elastic Collisions

CLAIMED BY KINGRAM7

The Main Idea

So what exactly is an elastic collision? I know you’re thinking “Oh I know all about elasticity” but LOL this not bubble gum or rubber bands guys! An elastic collision is a collision in which there is no loss in kinetic energy before and after the collision. If we assume that all of the colliding objects are part of the system and that there is no force in the surroundings, the final kinetic energy is still in the same form as it was initially. This means that kinetic energy in= kinetic energy out. Remember how your parents always told you what goes in must come out? They were talking about elastic collisions... probably. Additionally, elastic collisions are a wonderful representation of the conservation of momentum which states that the momentum of an isolated system is constant. For an elastic collision momentum in = momentum out. And I love playing pool because every time a ball hits another and they bounce off one another I’m witnessing an elastic collision so basically I’m a physicist in the lab.

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A Mathematical Model

What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic. For example [math]\displaystyle{ {\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.

A Computational Model

How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here Teach hands-on with GlowScript

Examples

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