Question

Elastic Collision

In this simulation we explore the behavior of two masses which collide elastically in order to investigate the properties of a perfectly elastic collision. Start by familiarizing yourself with the controls of the simulation. For this simulation you can adjust the mass of the first object m1, the velocity of the first object v1, the mass of the second object m2 and the velocity of the second object v2. Note that once you start the simulation running you can only change the control by resetting the simulation which will erase all the current graphs.

Run the simulation at least three times using different settings for the various slider bars and observe what happens on the graph of momentum.

What about the collision is the same each time you run the simulation?

Answer 1

In simulations of elastic collisions, the property that remains the same, regardless of variable settings, is the conservation of momentum. This principle confirms that the total momentum of colliding objects before and after the collision is equal, as is the case with internal kinetic energy in a perfectly elastic collision.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elastic Collisions and Momentum Conservation

When running simulations of elastic collisions with various settings, one key aspect of the collision remains unchanged: the conservation of momentum. In a perfectly elastic collision, not only is momentum conserved but internal kinetic energy is also conserved. This means that the total momentum and the total kinetic energy before and after the collision are equal.

In the case where two objects of equal mass collide elastically, such as billiard balls or certain subatomic particles, if one ball is initially at rest while the other is moving, the moving object will come to rest after the collision, and the previously stationary object will move with the velocity that the first object had before the collision. This demonstrates that both momentum and kinetic energy have been conserved.

Changes in the masses and velocities of the colliding bodies will affect individual momentum values of each, but the total momentum of the system will remain constant in all the simulations, as per the law of conservation of momentum applicable to elastic collisions.