“Classic” Collisions

Here are a few “famous” collisions whose outcomes are either obvious or can be calculated mentally.

(Perfectly) Elastic “Sitting Duck” Collisions

canonicalA.gif

  • For all the above,
    • the total momentum is conserved.
    • when one mass is much larger than the other, the velocity of the heavier mass is hardly changed by the collision.
    • The two masses approach and separate from each other at relative speed of u.

Perfectly Inelastic “Sitting Duck” Collisions

canonicalB

  • For all the above,
    • the total momentum is conserved.
    • when one mass is much larger than the other, the velocity of the heavier mass is hardly changed by the collision.
    • The two masses travel at a common velocity after the collision.

(Perfectly) Elastic “Jousting” Collisions

canonicalC

  • For all the above,
    • the total momentum is conserved.
    • when one mass is much larger than the other, the velocity of the heavier mass is hardly changed by the collision.
    • The two masses approach and separate from each other at relative speed of 2u.

Perfectly Inelastic “Jousting” Collisions

canonicalD

  • For all the above,
    • the total momentum is conserved.
    • when one mass is much larger than the other, the velocity of the heavier mass is hardly changed by the collision.
    • The two masses travel at a common speed after the collision.

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