5.4 Elastic collisions in one dimension  (Page 2/4)

Solution

For this problem, note that $v_2=0$ and use conservation of momentum. Thus,

or

Using conservation of internal kinetic energy and that $v_2=0$ ,

Solving the first equation (momentum equation) for ${v\prime }_2$ , we obtain

Substituting this expression into the second equation (internal kinetic energy equation) eliminates the variable ${v\prime }_2$ , leaving only ${v\prime }_1$ as an unknown (the algebra is left as an exercise for the reader). There are two solutions to any quadratic equation; in this example, they are

and

As noted when quadratic equations were encountered in earlier chapters, both solutions may or may not be meaningful. In this case, the first solution is the same as the initial condition. The first solution thus represents the situation before the collision and is discarded. The second solution $({v\prime }_1=-3\text{.}\text{00 m/s})$ is negative, meaning that the first object bounces backward. When this negative value of ${v\prime }_1$ is used to find the velocity of the second object after the collision, we get

or

Discussion

The result of this example is intuitively reasonable. A small object strikes a larger one at rest and bounces backward. The larger one is knocked forward, but with a low speed. (This is like a compact car bouncing backward off a full-size SUV that is initially at rest.) As a check, try calculating the internal kinetic energy before and after the collision. You will see that the internal kinetic energy is unchanged at 4.00 J. Also check the total momentum before and after the collision; you will find it, too, is unchanged.

The equations for conservation of momentum and internal kinetic energy as written above can be used to describe any one-dimensional elastic collision of two objects. These equations can be extended to more objects if needed.

Phet explorations: collision lab

Investigate collisions on an air hockey table. Set up your own experiments: vary the number of discs, masses and initial conditions. Is momentum conserved? Is kinetic energy conserved? Vary the elasticity and see what happens.

Section summary

• An elastic collision is one that conserves internal kinetic energy.
• Conservation of kinetic energy and momentum together allow the final velocities to be calculated in terms of initial velocities and masses in one dimensional two-body collisions.

Conceptual questions

Problems&Exercises