Open the PhET collision lab simulation: http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/collision-
ID: 1522915 • Letter: O
Question
Open the PhET collision lab simulation: http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/collision-lab/collision-lab_en.html (Links to an external site.)
1. While you are on the ‘introduction’ tab adjust the slider that is labeled ‘elasticity’ while trying a number of different collisions. Describe how this slider influences the outcome of collisions.
2. Describe a real world collision that would have:
a. very low elasticity.
b. very high elasticity.
3. Select the options to show a ‘momenta diagram’ and ‘kinetic energy’.
a. Can you create a collision for which the total kinetic energy of the two objects is not constant during the collision? If so, draw and label a diagram to illustrate that collision.
b. Can you create any collisions for which the vector sum of the momenta of the objects (the arrow for the total momentum) is not constant during the collision? If so, draw and label a diagram to illustrate that collision.
Explanation / Answer
a) Elasticity defines the collision at molecular level. Completely elastic means the molecular deformation at the time of collision is completely restored and no energy is lost. Lesser the elasticity, greater is the energy loss. In other words, the velocity of seperation will be reduced.
e = velo of seperation/velo of approach.
b) a rubber ball on concrete floor. (elastic)
a bullet fired on a wooden log, (inelastic)
c) Ke will not be conserved in any inelastic collision. So you can consider the same case as in simulation for any e value.
d) Ball dropped on floor. Momentum changes because of the earth gravitation force...
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