Is Momentum and Kinetic Energy Conserved in Collisions?

In summary, there was a discussion about a physics post lab on elastic, super elastic, and inelastic collisions. The purpose of the lab was to determine if momentum and kinetic energy are conserved in each scenario. It was concluded that in elastic and super elastic collisions, momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, but in inelastic collisions, only momentum is conserved. The individual asked for someone to check their work, as their numbers seemed strange. They were also asked to describe the experiment in more detail.
  • #1
Habibrobert
7
0
Hello,

I am stuck on the last page of my physics post lab. The lab was on elastic, super elastic and inelastic collisions. The point of the lab is to see whether or not momentum and kinetic energy is conserved during each scenario.

I'm pretty sure that in the elastic and super elastic collisions momentum and kinetic energy is conserved.

I know that kinetic energy is not conserved in a inelastic collision.

Could someone please check my work and let me know if I am doing everything correct?

Many Thanks
 

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  • #2
Your numbers look really strange. Judging from the questions, you should have no numbers much above 1, and the Pf/Pi ratio should be close to 1. Maybe I misguess what these numbers represent. How about describing the experiment?
 

FAQ: Is Momentum and Kinetic Energy Conserved in Collisions?

What is a collision in terms of physics?

A collision in physics is an event in which two or more objects or particles come into contact with each other and exert forces on each other, resulting in a change in their momentum and energy.

What are the different types of collisions?

There are two main types of collisions in physics: elastic and inelastic. In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, meaning no energy is lost. In an inelastic collision, some kinetic energy is lost and is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound.

How is momentum conserved in a collision?

Momentum is conserved in a collision because the total momentum of the system (all objects involved in the collision) before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This is known as the law of conservation of momentum.

What is the difference between an isolated and an inelastic collision?

An isolated collision refers to a collision in which no external forces act on the system, whereas an inelastic collision involves external forces acting on the system. In an isolated collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, whereas in an inelastic collision, only momentum is conserved.

How do you calculate the velocity of an object after a collision?

The velocity of an object after a collision can be calculated using the conservation of momentum equation: m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1' + m2v2', where m1 and m2 are the masses of the two objects, v1 and v2 are their initial velocities, and v1' and v2' are their final velocities. This equation assumes an inelastic collision. For an elastic collision, the coefficient of restitution needs to be taken into account.

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