Elastic collision and in-elastic collision

[Fu-Kwun Hwang]

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
<applet code='users.ntnu.fkh.inelasticcollision_pkg.inelasticcollisionApplet.class' archive='http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/ejsuser/2/ejs_inelasticcollision.jar' name='inelasticcollision4310' id='inelasticcollision4310' width='716' height='538' mayscript=true><param name='draggable' value='true'></applet>
Embed a running copy link(show simulation in a popuped window)
<a href='http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/msg.php?smfejs=4310' target='smfejs'>Run simulation</a>

Full screen applet or 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

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