Do kinetic energy conserved in a 2 dimensional collision?

In summary, the conversation discusses the conservation of kinetic energy in 2-dimensional collisions, specifically in the context of metal balls colliding. It mentions two types of collisions: elastic and inelastic, and explains that while kinetic energy is not always perfectly conserved, there are many cases where it is conserved, such as with metal balls and billiard balls. The degree of elasticity or inelasticity in a collision depends on the rigidity of the materials involved.
  • #1
mentoz
1
0
Like the tittle suggests, do kinetic energy conserved in a 2 dimensional collision? Like when 2 metal balls collide. Thanks!
 
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  • #2
Sometimes, when this happens we call it an elastic collision:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_collision

Sometimes, though, this does not happen. In these cases we call the collision an inelastic collision:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_collision

Nothing is ever perfectly elastic, because kinetic energy is not a conserved quantity, but there are lots of examples where, for all intents and purposes, kinetic energy is conserved. Two metal balls would be a good example of this, and the classic example are billiard balls. How elastic or inelastic a collision is depends primarily on the rigidity of the materials the objects are made from.
 

Related to Do kinetic energy conserved in a 2 dimensional collision?

1. What is kinetic energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It is calculated as 1/2 times the mass of the object multiplied by its velocity squared.

2. Is kinetic energy conserved in a 2 dimensional collision?

In an isolated system, where there are no external forces acting on the objects, the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved in a 2 dimensional collision. This means that the total kinetic energy before the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after the collision.

3. How is kinetic energy conserved in a 2 dimensional collision?

In a 2 dimensional collision, the conservation of kinetic energy can be explained by the law of conservation of momentum. This law states that the total momentum of a system remains constant in the absence of external forces. Since kinetic energy is directly proportional to velocity squared, if the total momentum is conserved, then the total kinetic energy must also be conserved.

4. Are there any exceptions to the conservation of kinetic energy in a 2 dimensional collision?

In real-world scenarios, there may be some exceptions to the conservation of kinetic energy in a 2 dimensional collision. These exceptions may occur due to external forces, such as friction or air resistance, that can cause a loss of kinetic energy. However, in an ideal and isolated system, the conservation of kinetic energy in a 2 dimensional collision will hold true.

5. What are some applications of the conservation of kinetic energy in a 2 dimensional collision?

The conservation of kinetic energy in a 2 dimensional collision has various applications in the fields of physics and engineering. It is used to analyze and predict the motion of objects in collisions, such as in car accidents or sports collisions. It is also applied in the design of efficient and safe transportation systems, such as airbags and bumper structures.

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