3.4. Elastic Collisions

Question 1

Elastic collisions

Answer 1

• Total momentum conserved
• Total kinetic energy is conserved
• uA − uB = vB − vA

Question 2

Two identical spheres collide elastically. Initially, X is moving with speed v and Y is stationary. What happens after the collision?

Answer 2

• X stops and Y moves with speed v:
• (relative velocity before collision) - (relative velocity after collisions