- A (perfectly) elastic collision is one that retains 100% of its initial total KE.
- As a result, the two bodies always separate from each other at the same speed as they approached each other. (see proof here)
- The outcome of an elastic collision can therefore be calculated through the equations:
- and
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- Depicted below are the momentum and KE variations during a head-on (perfectly) elastic collisions of two equal masses m with equal initial speed u.
- For simplicity, we assume a constant contact force during the collision.
- Note that the total momentum remains constant (at zero) throughout the collision.
- The total KE drops to zero at one point during the collision, but returns to 100% by the end of the collision.
- The two masses approach and separate from each other at relative speed of 2u.
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- Depicted below are the momentum and KE variations during a head-on (perfectly) elastic collision of two equal masses m, one of them with initial speed of u, and the other initially at rest.
- For simplicity, we assume a constant contact force during the collision.
- Note that the total momentum remains constant (at mu) throughout the collision.
- The total KE drops to 50% at one point during the collision, but returns to 100% by the end of the collision.
- The two masses approach and separate from each other at relative speed of u.
