Elastic collision and in-elastic collision

This simulation use a spring to simulate the process during collision for elastic and in-elastic collision.
The spring will be compressed when two objects collide with each other.
The spring will return back to it's original length for elastic collision.
However, the spring will keep at the largest compression (when both objects are the same speed), and both objects will move with the same speed later on.

The green curve show the sum of the kinetic energy for both objects, i.e. (1/2)m₁*v₁²+(1/2)m₂v₂²
The sum of two kinetic energy become smaller during collision, because some of the energy goes to potential energy of the spring. The energy will be released back when the collision is finished.
However, the energy will be loss during in-elastic collision.

The blue curve and gray curve are velocity curves for both objects.
You are welcomed to check out if the total momentum is conserved or not!

Embed a running copy of this simulation

Embed a running copy link(show simulation in a popuped window)

Full screen applet or Problem viewing java?Add http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ to exception site list
Press the Alt key and the left mouse button to drag the applet off the browser and onto the desktop. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Taiwan License

Please feel free to post your ideas about how to use the simulation for better teaching and learning.
Post questions to be asked to help students to think, to explore.
Upload worksheets as attached files to share with more users.

Let's work together. We can help more users understand physics conceptually and enjoy the fun of learning physics!

Related Topics
	Subject	Started by	Replies	Views	Last post
	Ejs open source java applet 1D collision carts Elastic and Inelastic Collision « 1 2 3 » Collaborative Community of EJS	lookang	77	48341	March 26, 2012, 04:05:27 pm by lookang
	1 D collision carts Elastic and Inelastic Collision dynamics	ahmedelshfie	6	6977	April 27, 2010, 02:16:18 am by ahmedelshfie
	Elastic collision and in-elastic collision dynamics	ahmedelshfie	2	3363	April 27, 2010, 11:22:51 pm by ahmedelshfie
	Elastic 1D collision inquiry Dynamics	Fu-Kwun Hwang	0	1243	April 13, 2013, 10:13:51 am by Fu-Kwun Hwang
	Elastic 1D collision: viewed from center of mass frame Dynamics	Fu-Kwun Hwang	0	1973	April 13, 2013, 08:58:53 pm by Fu-Kwun Hwang

	Author	Topic: Elastic collision and in-elastic collision (Read 6996 times)
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Click to toggle author information(expand message area).