Elastic collision energy loss · PhysicsBowl 2025 #18
Physics · mechanics
Problem
A particle with a mass of 10.0 g has an elastic, head-on collision with a second particle, also with a mass of 10.0 g, on frictionless, horizontal surface (such as an air hockey table). The collision has a coefficient of restitution, e = 1.0. Determine the percent loss of kinetic energy in the collision.
a. 0%
b. 25%
c. 50%
d. 75%
e. 100%