Equations
Perfectly inelastic collision (momentum conservation)
Momentum · id inelastic_collision
m_1 v_1 + m_2 v_2 = (m_1 + m_2) v_f
| Symbol | Quantity | Unit | Meaning | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
m1 | mass 1 | kg | Mass of the first body | 0.001 to 1e+08 |
v1 | velocity 1 | m/s | Velocity of the first body before the collision | 0 to 1000 |
m2 | mass 2 | kg | Mass of the second body | 0.001 to 1e+08 |
v2 | velocity 2 | m/s | Velocity of the second body before the collision | 0 to 1000 |
vf | final velocity | m/s | Common velocity after the bodies stick together | 0 to 1000 |
Assumptions
- Bodies stick together
- No external impulse during the collision
- Motion along a single line
Valid when
- Collision duration short compared with external force timescales
Found by
Questions with these words retrieve this equation: momentum, collision, inelastic, stick together, crash, stop, slow down.
Source
OpenStax University Physics Volume 1, Chapter 9 (reference; entry written by the project). License: MIT. Entry confidence: 0.98.