Physics Fast Facts: Collisions

Front

What is the center of mass of a system of objects?

Back

The center of mass is the point at which the mass of a system is concentrated and it obeys Newton's Second Law.

Front

What is the term for everything other than the system in physics?

Back

Surroundings.

Front

Is the impulse-momentum theorem valid only during collisions?

Back

No, the impulse-momentum theorem is valid in general and not limited to collisions.

Front

In which type of collision is kinetic energy conserved?

Back

Only in elastic collisions.

Front

What is the equation for total momentum before and after an inelastic collision of two masses M1 and M2?

Back

M1V1 + M2V2 = (M1 + M2)V3.

Front

What is momentum?

Back

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity, represented as p = mv.

Front

What is the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions?

Back

In elastic collisions, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved; in inelastic collisions, momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not.

Front

What does Newton's Second Law state?

Back

Newton's Second Law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F = ma).

Front

What is impulse?

Back

Impulse is the change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over a period of time, calculated as Impulse = Force × Time.

Front

What happens to kinetic energy in a perfectly inelastic collision?

Back

In a perfectly inelastic collision, the objects stick together after the collision, and kinetic energy is not conserved.