6.3 Collisions in 2-Dimensions
Collisions in 2-Dimensions
Momentum is a vector and conservation of momentum must be accounted for in both the x- and y-dimensions in a 2-dimensional problem.
| COLLISIONS IN 2-DIMENSIONS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ELASTIC | PERFECTLY INELASTIC | |
| Momentum | CONSERVED pxi = pxf m1v1xi + m2v2xi = m1v1xf + m2v2xf pyi = pyf m1v1yi + m2v2yi = m1v1yf + m2v2yf | CONSERVED pxi = pxf m1v1xi + m2v2xi = (m1 + m2)vxf pyi = pyf m1v1yi + m2v2yi = (m1 + m2)vyf |
| KineticEnergy | CONSERVEDKEi = KEf ½m1v1i 2 + ½m2v2i 2 = ½ m1v1f 2 + ½ m2v2f 2 | NOT CONSERVEDKEi ≠ KEf |