Question

Define perfectly elastic collision and give an example of it. Find the final velocities of the objects colliding head-on elastically.​

Answer 1

An elastic collision is an encounter between two bodies in which the total kinetic energy of the two bodies remains the same. In an ideal, perfectly elastic collision, there is no net conversion of kinetic energy into other forms such as heat, noise, or potential energy.

Example-

i-When a ball at a billiard table hits another ball, it is an example of elastic collision.

ii-When you throw a ball on the ground and it bounces back to your hand, there is no net change in the kinetic energy and hence, it is an elastic collision.