Linear Momentum: Collisions


Terms and Formulae

Terms

Collision  -  The brief direct contact between two bodies that results in a net impulse on each body.
Elastic Collision  -  Any collision in which kinetic energy is conserved.
Inelastic Collision  -  Any collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved.
Completely Inelastic Collision  -  Any collision in which the two bodies stick together.

Formulae

 
Position of the center of mass of a system of particles x cm = m n x n
 
Velocity of the center of mass of a system of particles v cm = m n v n
 
Acceleration of the center of mass of a system of particles a cm = m n a n
 
Acceleration of the center of mass of a system of particles given an external force F ext = Ma cm
 
Definition of Impulse J = FΔt
 
Change in velocity caused by an impulse J = mv f - mv o
 
Definition of momentum p = mv
 
Relation between force and momentum = F
 
Impulse-Momentum Theorem J = Δp
 
Definition of the linear momentum of a system of particles P = Mv cm

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