In a perfectly elastic collision between two objects, which of the following is true?
Question
In a perfectly elastic collision between two objects, which of the following is true?
Solution
In a perfectly elastic collision between two objects, the following are true:
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Total kinetic energy is conserved: This means that the total kinetic energy of the system (both objects) before the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after the collision. This is a direct result of the law of conservation of energy.
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Total momentum is conserved: This means that the total momentum of the system (both objects) before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This is a direct result of the law of conservation of momentum.
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The objects do not stick together: In a perfectly elastic collision, the objects 'bounce' off each other and do not stick together, unlike in an inelastic collision.
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The relative speed of approach equals the relative speed of separation: This means that the speed at which the two objects are moving towards each other before the collision is equal to the speed at which they move apart after the collision.
These are the main characteristics of a perfectly elastic collision.
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