Lecture 28: Collisions

Energy and Momentum Conservation

We have seen that the total kinetic energy of a system undergoing an inelastic collision is not conserved. Mechanical Energy can be lost or gained:

v2,f - v1,f =

- (v2,i - v1,i )

Heat (friction) Bending of metal (crashing cars) Chemical or nuclear energy (bomb, fireworks)

Kinetic energy is not conserved since work is done during the collision! Momentum is conserved when there are no external forces acting. Momentum is a vector, components can be treated independently. Momentum is conserved in a component when there is no external force in that direction In general, momentum conservation is easier to satisfy than energy conservation.
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Initial

Final

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ICQ: Collisions
A box sliding on a frictionless surface collides and sticks to a second identical box which is initially at rest. What is the ratio of initial to final kinetic energy of the system?

ICQ: Collisions
A box sliding on a frictionless surface collides and sticks to a second identical box which is initially at rest. What is the ratio of initial to final kinetic energy of the system?

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 2

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 2

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ICQ: Collisions: Solution

No external forces in the x direction, so PX is constant.

ICQ: Collisions: Solution

Compute kinetic energies:
1 mv 2 2
2

PI = mv
P =P I F v vf = i 2 mf = 2mi
v m m

v m m

KI =

KF =

1 (2 m ) v = 1 K I 2 2 2

v/2

v PF = (2m) 2

v/2

KI KF

=2

x
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Another solution
1 P2 2 We can write K = mv = 2 2m

Another Question:
Is it possible for two blocks to collide inelastically in such a way that the kinetic energy after the collision is zero?

P is the same before and after the collision. The mass of the moving object has doubled, hence the kinetic energy must be half.

KI KF

=2
m m
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Another Question
Is it possible for two blocks to collide inelastically in such a way that the kinetic energy after the collision is zero? YES: If the CM is not moving, initial momentum=0! CM

Elastic Collisions
Elastic means that kinetic energy is conserved as well as momentum. No mechanical energy lost Examples: Spring to store and release energy or very rigid bodies like billiard balls This gives us more constraints We can solve more complicated problems!! Billiards (2-D collision) The colliding objects have separate motions after the collision as well as before. Initial Final Start with a simpler 1-D problem
UIUC

CM

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Elastic Collision in 1-D 1Two blocks collide with a spring between them. The spring ensures that the collision is elastic, that is no energy is lost m1 v1,i v2,i x m2

Elastic Collision in 1-D 1m1 m2

Conserve PX: m1v1,i + m2v2,i = m1v1,f + m2v2,f

before

v1,i v2,i
x

initial

after

Conserve Kinetic Energy:

1/ 2

v1,f

v2,f

m1v21,i + 1/2 m2v22,i = 1/2 m1v21,f + 1/2 m2v22,f

Suppose we know v1,i and v2,i m1 final v1,f m2 v2,f We can solve for v1,f and v2,f 2 equations & 2 unknowns

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Elastic Collision in 1-D 1So, rearrange the equations: firstly conserving kinetic energy
1/ 2

Elastic Collision in 1-D 1So, we now divide these two equations m1 (v1,i - v1,f)(v1,i + v1,f) = m2 (v2,f - v2,i)(v2,f + v2,i) (E) (Mom)

m1v21,i + 1/2 m2v22,i = 1/2 m1v21,f + 1/2 m2v22,f m1v21,f = m2v22,f m2v22,i

m1v21,i

m1 (v1,i - v1,f ) = m2 ( v2,f - v2,i ) v1,i + v1,f = v2,f + v2,i

m1 (v1,i - v1,f)(v1,i + v1,f) =

m2 (v2,f - v2,i)(v2,f + v2,i)

and secondly using conservation of momentum m1v1,i + m2v2,i = m1v1,f + m2v2,f m1v1,i - m1v1,f = m2v2,f - m2v2,i m1 (v1,i - v1,f ) = m2 ( v2,f - v2,i )
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v2,f - v1,f =

- (v2,i - v1,i )

For elastic collisions:

the relative velocity after impact equals minus the relative velocity before impact or, the speed of recession equals the speed of approach.
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Tennis ball and Basketball

A small tennis ball (mass m) drops on top of a basketball (mass M). Tennis ball bounces ~9 times the original height ! Elastic collisions M >> m , motion of basketball not much affected by the tennis ball speed of approach = speed of recession Tennis ball final velocity = 3v 9 times the kinetic energy = 9 times the gain in PE

Slingshot Effect
In the slingshot effect, the transfer of energy in an elastic collision is used to boost the energy of a space probe. The figure shows a space probe moving at +10.4 km/s to the right towards Saturn, which is moving at 9.6 km/s to the left. Velocities are measured relative to the Sun. Due to the gravitational attraction between Saturn and the probe, we have an elastic scattering event. Find the final velocity of the probe. By what factor is the kinetic energy of the probe increased? Where does this energy come from?

m M
UIUC

v v (1) v

v v

3v

(2)

(3)
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Slingshot Effect
Use result for elastic scattering: v2,f - v1,f = - (v2,i - v1,i )

Slingshot Effect
Now find gain in Kinetic Energy:

v1,i = vProbe Initial = + 10.4 km/s v2,i = vSaturn Initial = - 9.6 km/s v2,f = vSaturn Final vSaturn Initial = - 9.6 km/s v1,f = v1,f = v2,f + (v2,i - v1,i ) - 9.6 km/s + (- 9.6 km/s - 10.4 km/s )

1 2 mvi 2 1 2 K f = mv f 2 2 K f vf 29.6 2 = 2 = = 8.1 10.4 2 Ki vi Ki =

Where did this energy come from?

= -29.6 km/s

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ICQ: Elastic Collisions

Consider the two elastic collisions shown below. In 1, a golf ball moving with speed V hits a stationary bowling ball head on. In 2, a bowling ball moving with the same speed V hits a stationary golf ball. In which case does the golf ball have the greater speed after the collision? (a) 1 (b) 2 (c) same

ICQ: Elastic Collisions

Consider the two elastic collisions shown below. In 1, a golf ball moving with speed V hits a stationary bowling ball head on. In 2, a bowling ball moving with the same speed V hits a stationary golf ball. In which case does the golf ball have the greater speed after the collision? (a) 1 (b) 2 (c) same

V 1
UIUC

V 2
UIUC

2
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ICQ: Elastic Collisions: Solution

The speed of approach of two objects before an elastic collision is the same as the speed of recession after colliding. Since the bowling ball is much heavier than the golf ball, its speed will be changed very little in either collision.

ICQ: Elastic Collisions: Solution

In case 1 the bowling ball will almost remain at rest, and the golf ball will bounce back with speed close to V. In case 2 the bowling ball will keep going with speed close to V, hence the golf ball will rebound with speed close to 2V. Answer, in case 2 the golf ball will have a higher speed

V 1

V 2 1

2V 2

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Problem: Shoot the Block off the Table

A 15g bullet traveling at 500m/s strikes an 0.8kg block of wood that is balanced on a table edge 0.8m above the ground. If the bullet buries itself in the block, find the distance D at which the block hits the floor. Use Conservation of momentum + kinematics Conservation of momentum mv1=(m+M)v2 h=1/2gt2 v2=mv1/(m+M) = 9.2m/s Time to hit floor, resolve vertically (y=y0+v0yt+ at2) t=0.40s D = v2t = 3.72m
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Homework
Textbook problem Chapter 8: # 52

Distance traveled, resolve horizontally

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