Consider a partially inelastic collision between a superball and an immovable wall. For Questions 44-46, assume a head-on collision. Also assume that there are no other sources of energy (such as explosives). In the frame of reference of the wall (the lab frame), the initial speed of the ball is V. Let the final speed of the ball be defined as V'. In the lab frame, V' is A) V. D) unknown; insufficient information is given an for unambiguous answer

Question

Consider a partially inelastic collision between a superball and an immovable wall. For Questions 44-46, assume a head-on collision. Also assume that there are no other sources of energy (such as explosives). In the frame of reference of the wall (the lab frame), the initial speed of the ball is V. Let the final speed of the ball be defined as V'. In the lab frame, V' is
A) < V.
B) = V.
C) > V.
D) unknown; insufficient information is given an for unambiguous answer

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a partially inelastic collision, some kinetic energy is lost to other forms of energy (like heat, sound, etc.), but the object does not stick to the wall. Since the wall is immovable and the collision is not perfectly elastic, the ball will bounce back with less speed than it initially had, making V' < V.

Consider a Partially Inelastic Collision Between a Superball and an Immovable