Enter the mass and velocity of two objects before the collision to determine the final velocity after the inelastic collision.

Inelastic Collision Velocity Formula

The following equation is used to calculate the Inelastic Collision Velocity.

V = (M1*V1 + M2*V2) / (M1+M2)
  • Where V is the final velocity of both objects after collision (m/s)
  • M1 and M2 are the masses of each object (kg)
  • V1 and V2 are the velocities of the objects before collision (m/s)

In an inelastic collision, the momentum of the objects before and after the collision must be equal.

What is an Inelastic Collision Velocity?

Definition:

An inelastic collision velocity describes the total final velocity of two objects after an inelastic collision.

How to Calculate Inelastic Collision Velocity?

Example Problem:

The following example outlines the steps and information needed to calculate Inelastic Collision Velocity.

First, determine the masses. In this example, the masses are found to be 10 kg and 30 kg, respectively.

Next, determine the initial velocities. For this problem, these are 40 m/s and 50 m/s, respectively.

Finally, calculate the Inelastic Collision Velocity using the formula above:

V = (M1*V1 + M2*V2) / (M1+M2)

V = (10*40 + 30*50) / (10+30)

V = 47.5 m/s

FAQ

What distinguishes an inelastic collision from an elastic collision?

In an inelastic collision, the objects involved stick together or deform, and kinetic energy is not conserved, although momentum is. In contrast, during an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, and the objects bounce off each other without any permanent deformation.

Why is momentum conserved in an inelastic collision?

Momentum is conserved in an inelastic collision due to the law of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum of a closed system is constant if no external forces act upon it. Even though kinetic energy may not be conserved in inelastic collisions, the momentum before and after the collision remains the same.

Can inelastic collisions occur in everyday life? Provide examples.

Yes, inelastic collisions occur frequently in everyday life. Examples include a car crash, where the vehicles may become entangled or deformed; a football player tackling another, where both players move together after the collision; and playdough being squished together, where it sticks and forms a new shape.