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Inelastic Collision

An inelastic collision is commonly defined as a collision in which linear momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not conserved.

The general equation for conservation of linear momentum for a system of particles is:

Conservation of linear momentum for inelastic collision

Where:

m1, m2,..., mn is the mass of the individual particles in the system

v1i, v2i,..., vni is the initial velocity of the individual particles in the system, with respect to an inertial reference frame (ground)

v1f, v2f,..., vnf is the final velocity of the individual particles in the system, with respect to an inertial reference frame (ground)


In an inelastic collision between particles, the particles do not behave elastically during the collision. This means that, at the point of impact, the particles do not deform elastically; meaning they may permanently deform, resulting in energy loss during impact. This is unlike an elastic collision where, at the point of impact, the particles deform elastically; meaning they behave like perfectly elastic springs, absorbing and releasing the same amount of energy during impact.

Inelastic Collision Between Two Particles

General equations can be developed for the inelastic collision between two particles.

Inelastic collision between two particles

From equation (1) for the conservation of linear momentum we have

Conservation of linear momentum for inelastic collision 2

This equation can be expressed as its corresponding (scalar) equations along Cartesian x, y, z directions:

Conservation of linear momentum for inelastic collision along x y z


An additional equation needs to be introduced which accounts for the inelastic nature of the collision. Such an equation needs to relate the initial and final velocities of the particles. This is done using what is called the coefficient of restitution, e.

For instance, for the general case of collision between two particles the coefficient of restitution e can be used to relate the initial and final velocities along the line of impact, as shown below.

Line of impact for inelastic collision

where L is the line of impact, passing through the centers of the particles.


The coefficient of restitution is given as

Coefficient of restitution for inelastic collision

Where:

vL1i is the component of the initial velocity of particle 1, resolved along the direction of L

vL2i is the component of the initial velocity of particle 2, resolved along the direction of L

vL1f is the component of the final velocity of particle 1, resolved along the direction of L

vL2f is the component of the final velocity of particle 2, resolved along the direction of L


Equations (3) and (4) can be solved simultaneously.


For the special case of a head on inelastic collision in one dimension, the coefficient of restitution is

Coefficient of restitution for head on inelastic collision

From equation (1) for the conservation of linear momentum, we have (in one dimension):

Conservation of linear momentum for head on inelastic collision


Equations (5) and (6) are then solved simultaneously.


The coefficient of restitution is determined experimentally for different classes of problems and types of materials. Its value varies between 0 and 1. For e = 1 the collision is elastic and kinetic energy is conserved. For e = 0 the collision is plastic, and the particles stick together and move with the same velocity, after impact.



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