- #1
Disputationem
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- Homework Statement
- I have no idea how this equation (½ mu^2 = ½ mv^2 + ½ ms^2 ) came to be. I understand that work done is equal to final kinetic energy minus initial (w = KE_v - KE_u) but I have no idea how the "1/2 ms^2" portion came to be. Is there anyone that can help me on explaining why the equation is in this manner?
- Relevant Equations
- ½ mu^2 = ½ mv^2 + ½ ms^2 , w = KE_v - KE_u.
My attempt is that I think that, since the equation was derived in an interaction between particles (proving that the angle between the subsequent paths of both particles must be 90 degrees), that acceleration (in m/s^2) is basically negligable since it is so small that it could be rounded off to 0. However, I'm unsure about the validity of this theory, so I would like an explanation for why ½ mu2 = ½ mv2 + ½ ms2 is the way it is.