Is velocity conserved in elastic and inelastic collisions?

In summary, the conversation discusses the conservation of velocity in elastic and inelastic collisions. The individual has experimental data that shows velocity is not conserved in inelastic collisions and is unsure about the results for elastic collisions. They suggest that inelastic collisions result in a loss of velocity due to kinetic energy, while elastic collisions conserve velocity due to the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy. However, they also mention that some parts of their data show velocity is conserved in elastic collisions while others do not, leading to a discussion about what could cause these differing results.
  • #1
seallen
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Homework Statement



Determine whether velocity is conserved in elastic and inelastic collisions? Use your experimental data to support your results.

Homework Equations



I have my data charts which show that velocity is not conserved in inelastic collisions, but in elastic collisions some parts of my data showed velocity was conserved and other parts showed that it was not.

The Attempt at a Solution


My thoughts are that velocity is not conserved in inelastic collisions due to some velocity being lost in the kinetic energy. However, I am thinking that in elastic collisions velocity is conserved due to the fact that both momentum and kinetic energy are also conserved. Would this be correct?
 
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  • #2
I am thinking that in elastic collisions velocity is conserved due to the fact that both momentum and kinetic energy are also conserved. Would this be correct?
You seem to have answered this questions already:
in elastic collisions some parts of my data showed velocity was conserved and other parts showed that it was not.
That conclusion would not be consistent with your data. What does your data tell you?

What is different about the situations that could lead to the differing results?
 

FAQ: Is velocity conserved in elastic and inelastic collisions?

Is velocity conserved in an elastic collision?

In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. This means that the total velocity of the objects involved in the collision remains the same before and after the collision.

Is velocity conserved in an inelastic collision?

In an inelastic collision, only momentum is conserved. This means that the total velocity of the objects involved in the collision may change after the collision due to the loss of kinetic energy.

How does the coefficient of restitution affect velocity conservation in collisions?

The coefficient of restitution is a measure of how much kinetic energy is lost in a collision. A higher coefficient of restitution means a more elastic collision, where the velocity is conserved, while a lower coefficient of restitution indicates a more inelastic collision, where the velocity may change.

Does the mass of the objects affect velocity conservation in collisions?

Yes, the mass of the objects involved in a collision does affect velocity conservation. In an elastic collision, the objects with larger masses will have smaller changes in velocity compared to objects with smaller masses. In an inelastic collision, the objects with larger masses will have a greater effect on the final velocity of the system.

Is velocity conservation always applicable in collisions?

No, velocity conservation is not always applicable in collisions. It is only applicable in collisions where no external forces, such as friction, are acting on the objects. In real-world scenarios, it is common for some kinetic energy to be lost due to external forces, resulting in a violation of velocity conservation.

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