Elastic Collision: Isolated Systems & Conservative Forces

In summary, an elastic collision involves the conservation of both momentum and kinetic energy, indicating that only conservative forces are at play and there is no friction involved. This requires the system to be isolated in order to prevent any loss of energy due to external forces. If the collision occurs quickly enough, outside forces can be ignored. The force between the colliding objects is considered impulsive, meaning that it is finite even though the time during which it acts is very short. Examples of elastic collisions in reality may include two electrons colliding.
  • #1
sauri
51
0
In an elastic collision both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved which means only conservative forces are acting (therefore no friction!).
So that must mean we also have to be in an isolated system, so no energy is lost due to external forces. Can this state actually exist in reality?. Any examples?.
 
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  • #2
If the collision takes place in a short enough time, outside forces can be neglected. The impulse due to an outside force is Fdt-->0 as dt-->0.
The force between the two colliders is impulsive in that Fdt is finite.
 
  • #3
any examples where we might see elastic collision happening? I can not imagine any collision happening in such a small period of time
 
  • #4
Two electrons colliding.
 

FAQ: Elastic Collision: Isolated Systems & Conservative Forces

What is an elastic collision?

An elastic collision is a type of collision in which the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved. This means that the total energy before the collision is equal to the total energy after the collision.

What is an isolated system?

An isolated system is a physical system that does not interact with its surroundings. In the context of elastic collisions, this means that no external forces or energies are acting on the system, allowing for the conservation of kinetic energy.

What are conservative forces?

Conservative forces are forces that are path independent, meaning that the work done by the force is dependent only on the initial and final positions, not the path taken. In elastic collisions, the forces between the colliding objects are considered conservative forces.

How is momentum conserved in an elastic collision?

In an elastic collision, momentum is conserved because the total mass and velocity of the system remains constant before and after the collision. This is a result of Newton's Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

What are some real-life examples of elastic collisions?

Some common examples of elastic collisions include billiard balls colliding on a pool table, bouncing balls, and air molecules colliding in a closed container. These collisions are considered to be nearly perfectly elastic, meaning that the kinetic energy is conserved with minimal loss due to friction or other external factors.

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