A projectile of mass M_phits a target (initially at rest) of mass M_t. When the collision is not completely elastic, all of the following (measured with respect to the lab frame) are reduced from their respective values for the elastic case except A) if M_p= M_t, the maximum angle of separation (measured between the final velocity vectors for the two masses). B) if M_p M_t, the maximum deflection angle of M_p. C) lf M_p

Question

A projectile of mass M_phits a target (initially at rest) of mass M_t. When the collision is not completely elastic, all of the following (measured with respect to the lab frame) are reduced from their respective values for the elastic case except A) if M_p= M_t, the maximum angle of separation (measured between the final velocity vectors for the two masses). B) if M_p> M_t, the maximum deflection angle of M_p. C) lf M_p< M_t, the maximum final speed of M_t. D) if M_p= M_t, the center-of-mass speed.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved, but momentum is. The center-of-mass speed depends only on the total momentum and the total mass, both of which are conserved regardless of whether the collision is elastic or inelastic. Therefore, the center-of-mass speed remains unchanged between elastic and inelastic collisions.

A Projectile of Mass Mp hits a Target (Initially at Rest)

A Projectile of Mass M_phits a Target (Initially at Rest)