1.

Work, Energy and Power - Recap

2. Work: Work is said to be done by a force when the body is displaced actually through
some distance in the direction of the applied force.

If a constant force acting on a body produces a displacement in the body along the
positive x – direction, and if is the angle which makes with the positive x- direction,
then the component of in the direction of displacement is .

As work done by the force is the product of component of force in the direction of
displacement and the magnitude of the displacement,
\

If displacement is in the direction of force applied, , From (1),

From (1) can be rewritten as

Thus, work done by a force is the dot product of force and displacement.

In terms of rectangular components, and , we have,

Work is a scalar quantity.

Dimensions of work is given as [ML2T-2].

It has two types of units of work.

1. Absolute unit:
(a) SI unit of work is Newton-meter (N m) or joule (J).
(b)Its unit in cgs system is dyne centimeter (dyne cm) or erg(s).
1 J = 107 ergs

2. Gravitational unit:
(a) SI unit is kilogram-meter (kg-m). 1 kg-m = 9.8 J
(b) cgs unit is (g-cm). 1 g-cm = 980 erg
1 kg-m = 105 g-cm

Nature of work done:

Although work done is scalar quantity, its value may be positive, negative or even zero.

1. Positive work:
As
Therefore, when is acute (< 90o ), is positive. Hence work done is
positive.

For example:
When a body falls freely under the action of gravity, ,
. Therefore, work done by gravity on a body falling freely
 is positive.

2. Negative work
As
Therefore, When is obtuse ( > 90o ), is negative. Hence work done is
negative.

For example:
• When a body is thrown up, its motion is opposed by gravity. The
angle between gravitational force and the displacement is
. As , therefore, work done by gravity on a
body moving upwards is negative.

• When brakes are applied on a moving vehicle, work done by the

braking force is negative.

3. Zero work
When a force applied or the displacement or both are zero, work done
is zero.
Again, when angle between and is 90o, . therefore,
work done is zero.

Examples:
• When we push hard against a wall, the force we exert on the wall
does no work, because . However, in this process, our muscles
are contracting and relaxing alternately and internal energy is
being used up. That is why we do get tired.

3. A constant force is rare. It is the variable force which is encountered more commonly. We
can, therefore, learn to calculate work done by a variable force.

Let the body is moving from A to B under the action of this variable force. Assume that
the entire displacement from A to B is made up of a large number of infinitesimal
displacements. One such displacement shown in figure from P to Q.
As the displacement PQ = dx
Therefore small amount of work done in moving the body from P to Q is
 = area of strips PQ RS
total work done in moving the body from A to B is given by

If the displacement are allowed to approach zero, then the number of

terms in the sum increases without limit. We can write,

or

where, xA = OA and xB = OB
area of strip PQRS = total area under the curve between

F and x - axis from x = xA to x = xB

W = Area ABCDA

Hence work done by a variable force is numerically equal to the area

under the force curve and the displacement axis.

Note:
1. Area under force – displacement curve must be added with proper sign
to obtain work done by the force.
2. Work done in displacing a body under the action of a number of forces is equal to work
done by the resultant force. When the body is in equlibrium, resultant force = 0,
Therefore, W = 0.
4. Kinetic Energy:
As discussed above, energy is the ability of a body to do work.

Kinetic energy is the energy posses by a body by virtue of its motion. (give examples.) It
can be calculated in two ways:
(i) the amount of work done in stopping a moving body
(ii) the amount of work done in giving present velocity to a body from the state of rest

Using,
v2 = u2 + 2as
a = v2/2s (u = 0)
F = ma = mv2/2s

work = force * distance = mv2/2s *s =mv2/2

This work done is the measure of KE of the body

therefore K = mv2 / 2

Note: 1. KE depends upon the frame of reference e.g KE of a person of mass m sitting in
car moving with velocity v is mv2 / 2 in earth's frame and KE of same person = 0 in the
frame of the car.
 2. KE is always positive.

3. KE = mv2 / 2 holds even when magnitude or direction of force changes. So, expression
remains same no matter how the body acquires the velocity v.
5. Work energy theorem: According to this theorem, the change in kinetic energy of a
particle is equal to the work done on it by the net force. Work refers to the force and
displacement over which it acts.

Proof: We know v2 – u2 = 2as ...(1)

Then mv2/2 – mu2/2 = (m/2)*2as
or mv2/2 – mu2/2 = mas = Fs (because F = ma) .....(2)
Generalising this equation to 3D, we can write
mv2/2 – mu2/2 = ma.d = F.s (Bold indicated vector here.)
Since kinetic energy K = mv2/2, we have
i.e. Kf – Ki = W
This is the work energy theorem.
Work energy pricniple for variable force:
Kf – Ki = ∫Fdx (from initial position xi to final position xf)

6. Non-conservative force:

A force is said to be non-conservative, if work done by or against the force in moving a

body from one position to another, depends on the path followed between these two
positions.

For example, frictional forces are non conservative forces. Like we saw earlier, if a body
is moved from a position A to position B on a rough table, work done against frictional
force shall depend on the length of the path between A and B and not only on the
positions A and B. In the figure, if the particle goes from A to B via path 1 and returns
from B to A via path 2, the total work done will not be zero.
WAB + WBA ≠ 0
WAB ≠ WBA
The most common example of a non-conservative force is friction.
Note:
1. In a conservative field, work is independent of path. For example, when we move a
body of mass m with uniform speed from bottom to top in a inclined plane, the work
done is same and equal to (mgh)

2. Remember that work done in moving a body over a smooth inclined plane does not
depend upon slope of inclined plane. W = mgh, and it depends only on height h of the
inclined plane.

7. Conservative Force:
A force is said to be conservative if work done by or against the force in moving a body
depends only on the initial and final positions of the body, and not on the nature of path
 followed between the initial and final positions. This means, work done by or against a
conservative force in moving and final positions will be the same.

For example, gravitational force is a conservative force.

We have already seen that the work done against gravity depends on the intial and final
position only.

We find that i.e.work done is the same, whatever be the path

followed, between the given initial position A nd final position B.

Properties of conservative force:

1. Work done by or against a conservative force, in moving a body from one position to
the other depends only on the initial and final positions of the body.

2. Work done by or against a conservative force does not depend upon the nature of the
path followed by the body in going from initial position to the final position.

3. Work done by or against a conservative force in moving a body through any roound
trip is always zero.

8. Potential energy:

When we move an object upto some height against gravity and release, it gains kinetic
energy while moving down. It means work done against a conservative force like gravity
is somehow stored, in the sense that we can get it back again in the form of kinetic
energy. We can consider the “stored work” as potential energy U. The change ΔUAB in
 potential energy associated with a conservative force is the negative of the work
done by that force as it acts over any path from point A to point B:

If a conservative force does positive work (as does gravity on a falling object), then
potential energy must decrease – and that means U must be negative. Conversely, if a
conservative force does negative work (as does gravity on a weight being lifted), then
energy is stored and ΔU must be positive.

When we say “the potential energy U,”we really mean the potential-energy difference
ΔU between the point we’re considering and the reference point.

Two important types of potential energy are

• Gravitational potential energy, U = mgh
• Elastic potential energy, U = (1/2)kx2
There are also other types like electric potential energy and chemical potential energy.

9. Gravitational potential energy:

It is the energy possessed by the body by virtue of its position above the surface of the
earth.

Let, h = Height through which the body is raised.

The force applied to just overcome gravitational attraction is
F = mg
Work done = Force × Distance
OR
W = (F) × h = mgh
This work gets stored as potential energy.
Gravitational P.E. = V (h) = mgh
If h is taken as a variable, then
 Where, F is the gravitational force on the body
The negative sign indicates that gravitational force is acting downwards.
Thus,

Mathematically, the potential energy, V (x) is defined if the force F (x) can be written as

The above equation shows that the work done by a conservative force like gravity in
taking the body from initial position, (x1) to final position, (x2) is equal to the difference
between the initial and final P.E. of the body.

NOTE: We have been talking in terms of the changes in gravitational potential energy.
We can choose any position of the block and call the gravitational potential energy to be
zero in this position. The potential energy at a height h above this position is mgh. The
position of the zero potential energy is chosen according to the convenience of the
problem.

10. Spring force:

As discussed before, when a metallic wire is coiled it becomes a spring.

If a spring is placed on a horizontal surface with no horizontal force on it, its length is
called the natural length. Every spring has its own natural length. The spring can be
stretched to increase its length and it can be compressed to decrease its length.

When a spring is stretched, it pulls the bodies attached to its ends and when compressed,
it pushes the bodies attached to its ends. If the extension or the compression is not too
large, the force exerted by the spring is proportional to the change in its length. Thus,
if the spring has a length x and its natural length is x, the magnitude of the force exerted
by it will be
F=k|x—x0| =k|Δx|.

If the spring is extended, the force will be directed towards its centre and if compressed,
it will be directed away from the centre. The proportionality constant k, which is the
force per unit extension or compression, is called the spring constant of the spring.

Conservative nature of spring force: A spring provides an important example of a force

that varies with position. We’ve seen that an ideal spring exerts a force proportional to its
displacement from equilibrium :
F = – kx, where k is the spring constant and the minus sign shows that the spring force is
opposite the direction of the displacement.
 Work done by the spring force depends only on initial and final deformation.
Hence, we can conclude that spring force is conservative in nature.

11. Potential energy of spring:

Consider a light and perfectly elastic spring fixed at one end of a rigid support at point O
and the other end attached to a block of mass ‘m’.

When the block is pulled from its equilibrium position (C) to point A, the restoring force
is set up in the spring due to elasticity.
The work done in stretching the spring from C to A is stored in the system in the form of
potential energy of the spring.

Let us calculate the P.E stored in the spring, when the it is pulled from the mean position
C up to a point P, such that CP = x
The restoring force set up in the string is given by,
F = − kx
Suppose that the block is further displaced through an infinitesimally small distance, PQ
= dx

Small work done in increasing the length of the spring by dx is

dW = Fdx = kxdx [Considering magnitude only]
The work done in increasing the length of the spring by an amount x can be calculated by
integrating the above limits x = 0 to x = x i.e,
 This work done is stored in the system as its potential energy at point P.

Elastic potential energy:

It is the energy associated with state of compression or expansion of an elestic object is
is called the elastic potential energy is always positive.

Note:
1. The concept of “P.E.” is actually the concept of “change in P.E.”. The P.E of the
system is assigned zero value at any arbitrary configuration. Then we find out the
change in the P.E of the system with respect to this zero P.E configuration.
2. The concept of P.E applies only when the forces under consideration are
conservative. In case of non-conservative forces e.g., frictional force, we cannot
define P.E.
3. While K.E can never be negative, P.E can be positive, negative or zero.
4. P.E. Depends upon the frame of reference.
5. A moving body may or may not have P.E.
6. P.E is of the entire system, rather than being the property of any particle of the
system.

The variation of potential energy with position is shown in the figure. (Explain the graph
on the slide.)

12. Conservation of mechanical energy:

• Total mechanical energy of a system is always conserved.
Total mechanical energy = Potential energy (V) + Kinetic energy (K)
• Mechanical energy of a system is conserved if the forces doing work on it are
conservative.
Let us consider a body undergoing a small displacement, Δx under the action of a
conservative force, F. According to work energy theorem,
Change in K.E = Work done
Δk = F(x) Δx ….. (i)
If the force is conservative, the P.E. function, V(x) can be defined such that
 −ΔV = F (x) Δx
ΔV = − F (x) Δx ….. (ii)
Adding (i) and (ii)
Δk + ΔV = 0
Δ (k + V) = 0, which means
(k + V) = Constant.
Relevence of conservation of mechanical energy:
We have established the principle of conservation of mechanical energy, i.e., total
mechanical energy of a system is conserved if the forces doing work on the system are
conservative.
When some of the forces involved are non-conservative, a part of mechanical energy may
be changed into other forms of energy such as heat, light and sound energy. Certain
amount of mechanical energy is lost in such cases, but the total energy remains same.

13. Potential energy in verticle circle:

When a paticle is placed at the bottom of the circle (point A), its at gound level, so its
gravitational potential energy will be
UA = mg (0) = 0

Consider the point B in the figure. Then the height of the point B from ground will be
h = R – R cosθ = R(1 - cosθ)
Hence potential energy of particle at this position is
UB = mgR(1 – cosθ)

Similarly the height of the point C from ground will be

h' = R + Rcosθ = R(1 + cos θ)
So, UC = mg R(1 + cos θ)

We know that potential energy depends on the position

and varies with height. If we consider a verticle circle
of radius R, then the highest point of the circle is at a
height of 2R from the ground. The potential energy at this point is UD = mg(2R) = 2 mgR.

Thus we see that the potential energy of a particle keeps varying along the circumference
of a vertical circle.

Vertical circular motion:

Suppose a bob of mass m connected to light string of length R is given speed u, at its
bottom-most point A as shown.
When the string gets turned by angle θ, the bob lifts up by height h given by
h = R – R cos θ
= R (1 – cosθ)
Also tension can be given by
T – mg cosθ = mv2/r

.....(i)

By work energy theorem

Wg + WT = ΔKE

Where work done by tension, WT = 0

(since tension is continuously perpendicular to motion)
and work done by gravity Wg = – mgh
= – mgR (1 – cosθ)

Therefore, from equation (i) and (ii)

Thus T is maximum when θ = 0o i.e. at the lower most position A

Tmax = TA = mg + mu2/R

Also T is minimum when θ = 180o i.e. at the top most point B

Tmin = TB = mu2/R – 5mg

Thus : Tmax – Tmin = 6mg (independent of initial speed provided the particle is able to
complete the circular path)

From equation above, we can say that TB can be positive, negative or zero, depending on
the value of u. When Tmin becomes negative, string slackens and the particle will fall
down before completing its circular path.

For completing the verticle circle, minimum value of TB = 0

or mu2/R – 5mg = 0
or umin = √5gR

This is the minimum velocity given at the bottom most point to complete the circle.
Hence it is called the critical velocity for circular motion.

Hence minimum energy for circular motion is

E = K =(1/2)mvmin2 = (5/2)mgR.
14. From equations (i) and (iii), following results are obtained
(Equations (i) and (iii) are shown on the slide. Use them to explain the following cases.)

Case I
If u = √2gR , v becomes zero exactly at point C
Also when it is at point C tension, T = m v2 /R = 0
Now it oscillates between points C and D.

Case II
If u < √2gR , v becomes zero even
before θ = π/2, let at point E
At this point
T – mg cosθ = mv2/R = 0
T = mg cosθ ≠ 0

Case III
If u = √5gR then at the top most point B where θ = 180o, the speed of the particle is

At this point,

Implying T = 0
i.e. string is just slacked, but it still continues to move
in circuler path, since it has got speed.

Case IV
If u > √5gR and T > 0 even at the topmost point (B) and particle completes circular path

Case V
If √5gR > u > √2gR
T bocomes zero at some point between C and B i.e. for π/2 < θ < π. And that instant v is
non zero [see equation (ii)] and thus particle move in parabolic path after that due to
gravity only.
15. Consider two runners: one runs a marathon and the other a sprint. The marathon runner
runs with a speed of 19 km/h whereas the sprint runner runs with a speed of 40 km/h.
If we compare the distance covered by them in 1 hour, the sprint runner covers about 40
km whereas the marathon runner covers 19 km.
Then what can we say about the power?

We notice that the work done by the both the runners was same. But it was executed at a
faster rate by the sprint runner. She is said to be more powerful.

We say a person is physically fit if he not only climbs four floors of a building but climbs
them fast.

Thus we can define power as follows:

Power is defined as the time rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. The
average power of a force is defined as the ratio of the work, W, to the total time t taken

The instantaneous power is defined as the limiting value of the average power as time
interval approaches zero,

The work dW done by a force F for a displacement dr is dW = F.dr. The instantaneous

power can also be expressed as

where v is the instantaneous velocity when the force is F.

Power is a scalar quantity. Its dimensions are [ML2T – 3].

In the SI, its unit is called a watt (W). The watt is 1 J s–1.
Absolute unit of power is in cgs system is erg s-1.
Gravitational unit in mks system is (kg f) m s-1, in cgs is (g f) cm s-1.

1 Watt = 107 erg s-1

There is another unit of power, namely the horse-power (hp)

1 hp = 746 W
This unit is still used to describe the output of automobiles, motorbikes, etc.
We encounter the unit watt when we buy electrical goods such as bulbs, heaters and
refrigerators.

A 100 watt bulb which is on for 10 hours uses 1 kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy.
100 (watt) × 10 (hour)
= 1000 watt hour
= 1 kilowatt hour (kWh)
= 103 (W) × 3600 (s)
 = 3.6 × 106 J

Our electricity bills carry the energy consumption in units of kWh. Note that kWh is a
unit of energy and not of power.

16. Conservation of energy:

Energy comes in many forms which transform into one another.
Heat energy, chemical energy , electrical energy , nuclear enegy are some other forms of
energy than mechanical energy. Whatever process happens, the total energy of a system
always remains conserved.

Contradiction in conservation of mass and conservation of energy:

Energy of sun:
Energy can be obtained from the nuclear fusion. In the fusion reaction of sun we saw that
the some of the mass of H atom gets lost after the fusion reaction. Also we notice that
some energy is produced. But we know that energy is not created just transferred from
one body to another. And mass also cannot disappear. So a contradiction was seen here.

In classical physics we have seen that mass and energy are two seperate quantities. In an
isolated system mass and energy remains constant. Einstein, in 1905, made a discovery
that mass and energy are not seperate quantities but mass can be transformed to energy
and energy can be transformed into energy.
This phenomena is quatified by the famous equation
E = mc2
This equations establishes the mass-energy equivalence.
and m = E/c2

It was then established that mass and energy are not two seperate quantities but they are a
single entity called 'mass-energy'.
Conservation of mass and energy of a system is thus combined to the conservation of
mass energy.

17. Introduction to collision theory:

In a common language, a collision is said to occur, when objects crash into each other.
For example, collision between automobiles, a hammer striking a nail, collision between
billiard balls, carrom coins etc.

The major object of the study of collision is to find out as much as possible, about the
forces that act during a collision from the knowledge of the state of particles before and
after the collision. Two key rule of the collision are:
1. Law of conservation of linear momentum, and
2. Law of conservation of energy

Before studying collision lets get introduced to a material property of the objects
involved in the collision. This property is classified to two:
1. Elasticity
2. Inelasticity

Elasticity: If an objects resists any deformation when acted on by some pressure, is said
 to be elastic in nature. Since no deformation occurs, no energy is lost in this process. It
can be deflected from its path though, but it will retain its energy.

On contrary, an object is said to be inelastic in nature, if it undergoes any deformation, or

if any energy is lost by producing change in shape or configuration on application of an
external force.

Based on this, we can divide collision into two types:

1. Elastic collision
2. Inelastic collision

We will discuss them in detail in this class.

NOTE FOR TEACHER: Derivations need not be covered in the coming portions.
Explanations and formulae are sufficient.
18. Conservation of momentum in collision:
We know linear momentum is defined as p = mv.
According to principle of conservation of momentum, in an isolated system, the vector
sum of the linear momenta of all the bodies of the system is conserved and is not affected
due to their mutual action and reaction.

Consider two objects having mass m1 and m2 and initial velocities u1 and u2. They
undergo collision, and their new velocities are v1 and v2.

Since no external force is acting on the system, its momentum remains conserved.
Hence,
m1u1 + m1u2 = m1v1 + m1v2

Forces external to the system may change the total momentum when their sum is not 0,
but internal forces, regardless of the nature of the forces, will not contribute to the change
in the total momentum.

Conservation of energy:
It states that energy can be neither created nor destroyed. It can only be converted from
one form to another.

In an isolated system energy remains constant. Not just mechanical energy, but net energy
remains conserved. For example, energy lost in friction is converted to heat energy.

Similarly, energy conservation applies equally in a collision but in a collision between

two objects, there may be a loss of kinetic energy, leading to dissipation of energy in
other forms.
The loss of kinetic energy occurs because of the
deformation produced in two objects during collision.
During a collision, first the objects are deformed and then
they recover their shape. The internal restoring forces
developed during deformation and recovery may or may
not be conservative. So dissipation of energy may or may
 not be there.
19. Elastic Collision in 1D:

(The basic characteristic of an eleastic collision are:

1. The linear momentum is conserved,
2. Total energy of the system is conserved,
3. The kinetic energy is conserved.)

It involves two bodies moving initially along the same straight line, striking against each
other without loss of kinetic energy and contibuing to move along the same straight line
after collision.

Suppose two balls P and Q of masses m1 and m2 are moving initially along the same
staright line with velocities u1 and u2 respectively.
When u1 > u2, relative velocity of approach before collision,
= u1 - u2 .....(1)

Hence the two balls collide. Let the collision be perfectly elastic. After collision, suppose
v1 is velocity of P and v2 is velocity of Q along the same straight line. When v2 > v1, the
bodies separate after collision.
Relative velocity of separation after collisoin = v2 - v1 .....(2)
Linear momentum of the two balls before collision =

Linear momentum of the two balls after collision =

As linear momentum is conserved in an elastic collision, therefore

Total K.E. Of the two balls before collision

Total K.E. Of the two balls after collision

As K.E. Is also conserved in an elastic collision, therefore from (5) and (6)

Dividing (7) by (4), we get

 Hence in one dimensional elastic collision, relative velocity of separation after collision
is equal to relative velocity of approach before collision.

From (8)

Hence, coefficient of restitution/resilience of a pefectly elastic collision in one dimension

is unity.

Calculation of velocities after collision:

Velocity of P:
From (8),
Puting in (3), we get
A machine can deliver constant power. It pushes an object of mass m in a straight line at a
distance. How does the displacement of the object depend on time t?

Velocity of B:
Put the value of v1 from (10) in (9)

20. Coefficient of restitution or Coefficient of resilience:

In actual practice, collisions between all real objects are neither perfectly elastic not they
are perfectly inelastic. They are called imperfect or semi elastic collisions. The degree of
elasticity of a collision is determined by a quantity, called coefficient of restitution of the
collision. It is defined as the ratio of relative velocity of separation after collision to the
relative velocity of approach before collision. It is represented by 'e'.
 where, u1, u2 are velocities of two bodies before collision, and v1, v2 are their respective
velocities after collision .

• For perfectly elastic collision, relative velcoity of separartion after collision is

equal to relative velocity of approach before collision
Therefore, e = 1

• For a perfectly inelastic collision, the relative velocity of separation after collision
=0
Therefore, e = 0

• For all other collisions , e lies between 0 and 1 i.e. 0 < e < 1.

Note:
We shall discuss about collisions in system that are closed i.e. No mass enters or leaves
the system. Further, the systems are isolated i.e. No net external forces act on the bodies
within the system. Infact, external forces e.g. Gravity and friction are negligibly small
compared to the strong impulsive forces during collision.

The quality of a tennis ball is measured by the height of its bounce. This can be
quantified by the coefficient of restitution of the ball. If the height from which the ball is
dropped and the height of its resulting bounce are known.
21. Inelastic collision:

A collision in which there occurs some loss of kinetic energy is called an inelastic
collision
As there is always some loss of kinetic energy in most of the collisions, therefore,
collisions we come across in daily life are generally inelastic.

If two bodies stick to each other, after colliding, the collision is said to be perfectly
ineleastic. For example, mud thrown on a wall sticks to the wall. The loss of K.E. Of mud
is complete. The collision is perfectly inelastic.

The basic characteristic of an inelastic collision are:

1. The linear momentum is conserved.
2. Total energy is conserved.
3. Kinetic energy is NOT conserved.
4. Some or all the forces involved in an inelastic collision may be non-conservative in
nature.

Figure shows two bodies of masses m1 and m2 moving with velocities, u1 and u2
respectively, along a single axis. They collide involving some loss of kinetic energy.
Therefore, the collision is inelastic. Let v1 and v2 velocities of the two bodies after
collision.

As the two bodies form one system, which is closed and isolated, we can write the law of
conservation of linear momentum for the two body system as:
Total momentum before the collision = Total momentum after the collision

The overhead arrows for vetors have been avoided as the collision is one dimensional
and velocity components along one axis are used.
 If we know m1, m2 initial velocities u1, u2 and one of the final velocities, we can calculate
the other final velocities from (1)

22. Perfectly inelastic collision: A perfectly inelastic collision is one in which the maximum
amount of kinetic energy has been lost during a collision, making it the most extreme
case of an inelastic collision. Though kinetic energy is not conserved in these collisions,
momentum is conserved and the equations of momentum can be used to understand the
behavior of the components in this system. In most cases, you can tell a perfectly
inelastic collision because the objects in the collision "stick" together.

The body of mass m2 happens to be initially at rest ( u2 = 0). We refer to this body as the
target. The incoming body of mass m1, moving with initial velocity u1 is referred to as the
projectile. After the collision, the two bodies move together with a common velcocity v.
The collision is perfectly inelastic.

As the total linear momentum of the system cannot change, Therefore,

Knowing m1, m2 and u1, we can calculate the final velocity 'v'. As the mass ratio
therefore, v < u1.

We can calculate loss of K.E. In this collision.

Total K.E. Before collision =

Total K.E. After collision =

Put the value of 'v' from (2), we get

Loss of kinetic energy is

23. Motion in 2D – Elastic Collision

If the initial velocities and final velocities of both the bodies are along the same straight
line, then it is called a one – dimensional collision or head on collision. In case of small
spherical bodies, this is possible if the direction of travel of body 1 passes through the
centre of body 2.

In general, the collisions are two dimensional where the initial velocities and the final
velocities may lie in a plane. So, when two bodies travelling initially along the same
straight line collide without loss of kinetic energy and move along different directions in
a plane, after collision, the collision is said to be elastic collision in two dimensions.

Suppose m1, m2 are the masses of two bodies P and Q moving initially along X – axis
with velocities u1 and u2 respectively.

When u1 > u2, the two bodies collide. After collision, let the body P move with a
velocity v1 at an angle with X – axis. Let the body Q move with a velocity v2 at an
angle with X -axis as shown in figure.

As the collision is elastic, kinetic energy is conserved.

Therefore, Total K.E. After collision = Total K.E. Before collision

As linear momentum is conserved in elastic collision, therefore, along X -axis, total

linear momentum after collision = total linear momentum before collision.

Now, along Y-axis, linear momentum before collision is zero. And after collison, total
linear momentum along Y-axis is

From (2), (3) and (4), we have to calculate four variables v1, v2, and , which is not
possible. We have, therefore, to measure experimentally any one parameter i.e. Final
velocities v1, v2, of A, B or their directions and . The rest of the three parameters can
then be calculated from (2), (3) and (4).