Tagged Questions
0
votes
2answers
142 views
Perpendicular Elastic Collision (different masses, different velocities)
I'm stuck on a mechanics problem and I can't make any headway past momentum and kinetic energy being conserved. Here is the problem:
Two hover cars are approaching an intersection from ...
2
votes
2answers
109 views
Elastic collision and spring
Bodies $A$ and $B$ are moving in the same direction in a straight line with a constant velocities on a frictionless surface. The mass and the velocity of $A$ are $2 \text{kg}$ and $10 \text{m/s}$. ...
0
votes
1answer
95 views
How to get energy of collision if you know force of gravity of an object($m \rightarrow F=mg$)?
How to get energy of collision if you know force of gravity of an object($m \rightarrow F=mg$)?
You get energy of collision by kinetic energy $E_k= \frac{1}{2}mv^2$, but if you use just force of ...
14
votes
6answers
3k views
Is two cars colliding at 50mph the same as one car colliding into a wall at 100 mph?
I was watching a youtube video the other day where an economist said that he challenged his physics professor on this question back when he was in school. His professor said each scenario is the same, ...
0
votes
1answer
317 views
Elastic Collision And Momentum
The question I am working on is, "Two blocks are free to slide along the friction-less wooden track shown below. The block of mass $m_1 = 4.98~kg$ is released from the position shown, at height $h = ...
4
votes
2answers
190 views
Could we use particle colliders as fusion generators?
So I know the basic gist is that fusion power's main issue is sustaining the fusion. I also know that there are two methods. The Torus method and the laser method. The torus magnetically contains ...
1
vote
1answer
170 views
Why can't collisions be elastic?
I understand that in inelastic collisions thermal energy is given out, but why does that happen? Why can't they simply rebound without giving off energy? Also, why in some collisions more heat is ...
1
vote
1answer
98 views
Could ions emitted by an ion thruster represent any realistic danger?
As ion thurster designs improve, the ions emitted could have a velocity (relative to the spacecraft) of well above 10^5 or even 10^6 m/s.
It the likelihood of any such ions ever hitting a human ...
-3
votes
1answer
134 views
Mathematical question on Collisions [closed]
A 2.5kg ball travelling with a speed of 7.5m/s makes an elastic
collision with another ball of ...
2
votes
0answers
251 views
kinetic energy in collisions
We were hoping you could help us understand collision energy.
Vehicle A is driving West at 35mph and weighs 1437kg.
Vehicle B is driving North at 35 mph and weighs 1882kg.
Vehicle B crashes into the ...
-1
votes
1answer
253 views
Minimal kinetic energy during elastic collision [closed]
Two wagons, moving towards each other along a straight line, collide. The first wagon has the speed 3 m/s and the weight 3 kg. The second wagon has the speed 1 m/s and the weight 1 kg. The collision ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
How much energy should I give into each particle in this equation:
I am trying to recreate the results of an article (membrane simulation) and I have the following line:
Both particles have the same soft radius,
$U_{rep} (r)/\epsilon = \text{exp}\left\{ -20 ...
3
votes
2answers
903 views
Conservation of Momentum/Energy collision Problem
I'm working on a physics problem in preparation for the MCAT and there's this particular problem that's troubling me. I don't know if it's a bad question or if I'm not understanding some sort of ...
