College Physics II – Mechanics, Sound, Oscillations, and Waves
Definition
Marsden collisions involve interactions where linear momentum and kinetic energy considerations are crucial. They are often studied to understand the behavior of colliding bodies in mechanics.
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Marsden collisions can be classified as elastic or inelastic, depending on whether kinetic energy is conserved.
In an elastic Marsden collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
In an inelastic Marsden collision, only momentum is conserved, while some kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy.
The coefficient of restitution is used to quantify the elasticity of a Marsden collision.
Understanding Marsden collisions requires applying the laws of conservation of momentum and energy.
Review Questions
What distinguishes an elastic Marsden collision from an inelastic one?
How does the coefficient of restitution relate to the type of Marsden collision?
Why is the conservation of momentum always valid in Marsden collisions?
Related terms
Elastic Collision: A type of collision where both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved.
Inelastic Collision: A type of collision where only momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not.
Coefficient of Restitution: A value that describes how much kinetic energy remains after a collision; it ranges between 0 (perfectly inelastic) and 1 (perfectly elastic).