What is an Inelastic Collision?

An inelastic collision is a type of collision between two or more objects where kinetic energy is not conserved. In a perfectly inelastic collision, the colliding objects stick together after impact and move as a single object. This type of collision is common in everyday life and is crucial in many areas of physics and engineering.

During an inelastic collision, some of the kinetic energy is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat, sound, or deformation of the objects. However, the total momentum of the system is always conserved, as per the law of conservation of momentum. This principle allows us to calculate the final velocity of the combined objects after the collision.

Inelastic collisions are often contrasted with elastic collisions, where both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved. Real-world collisions are usually somewhere between perfectly elastic and perfectly inelastic, but many can be approximated as inelastic for practical purposes.

How to Use the Inelastic Collision Calculator

Step 1: Enter the mass of the first object (m1) in kilograms in the designated input field. This value represents the mass of one of the objects involved in the collision.

Step 2: Input the initial velocity of the first object (v1) in meters per second. This is the speed and direction at which the first object is moving before the collision occurs. Remember that velocity can be positive or negative, depending on the direction of motion.

Step 3: Enter the mass of the second object (m2) in kilograms. This is the mass of the other object involved in the collision.

Step 4: Input the initial velocity of the second object (v2) in meters per second. Like with the first object, this represents the speed and direction of the second object before the collision. Again, this can be positive or negative.

Step 5: Click the “Calculate” button. The calculator will process the input values and display the results.

Step 6: Review the results. The calculator will show the final velocity of the combined objects after the collision, the initial and final momentum of the system, and the energy loss during the collision.

Step 7: Interpret the results. The final velocity represents the speed at which both objects move together after the collision. The conservation of momentum is demonstrated by comparing the initial and final momentum values. The energy loss shows how much kinetic energy was converted to other forms during the collision.

By following these steps, you can easily calculate the outcomes of inelastic collisions for various scenarios, making this tool valuable for physics students, teachers, and professionals working with collision dynamics.