Kinetic Energy Loss in Head-On Elastic Collision: Mass Ratios

Thread starter mangafan
Start date Oct 14, 2008
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Collision Elastic Elastic collision

In summary, kinetic energy loss in a head-on elastic collision is the energy lost when two objects collide and bounce off each other without any permanent deformation or loss of energy to other forms. It is calculated by subtracting the final kinetic energy from the initial kinetic energy, with the amount of loss being directly proportional to the mass ratio of the colliding objects. The coefficient of restitution also plays a role, with a higher coefficient resulting in less kinetic energy loss. Real-life examples of head-on elastic collisions include billiard balls, cars, and hockey pucks, with the mass ratio being the ratio of one object's mass to the other object's mass.

Oct 14, 2008

mangafan

in a head-on elastic collision between two masses, one of which is stationary, a experimenter would like the incident mass to lose quarter of its kinetic energy in the collision. What must be the ratio of the masses of the two objects for this to be the case?

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Oct 15, 2008

siddharth

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FAQ: Kinetic Energy Loss in Head-On Elastic Collision: Mass Ratios

What is kinetic energy loss in a head-on elastic collision?

Kinetic energy loss in a head-on elastic collision refers to the amount of energy that is lost when two objects collide and bounce off each other without any permanent deformation or loss of energy to other forms, such as heat or sound.

How is kinetic energy loss calculated in a head-on elastic collision?

Kinetic energy loss is calculated by subtracting the final kinetic energy of the system from the initial kinetic energy. This can be represented by the equation KEloss = KEi - KEf.

What is the relationship between mass ratios and kinetic energy loss in a head-on elastic collision?

The kinetic energy loss in a head-on elastic collision is directly proportional to the mass ratio of the two colliding objects. This means that as the mass ratio increases, the kinetic energy loss also increases.

How does the coefficient of restitution affect kinetic energy loss in a head-on elastic collision?

The coefficient of restitution, which represents the elasticity of the colliding objects, also affects the kinetic energy loss. A higher coefficient of restitution means a more elastic collision, resulting in less kinetic energy loss.

What are some real-life examples of head-on elastic collisions and their corresponding mass ratios?

Some real-life examples of head-on elastic collisions include billiard balls colliding on a pool table, two cars colliding on a road, and two hockey pucks colliding on the ice. In these examples, the mass ratios would be the ratio of the mass of one object to the mass of the other object involved in the collision.