If two bodies travelling with the same velocity collide,will the forces nullify each other or bounce apart?

Question

they are of the same mass

they are non elastic and have a head on collision

Answer 1

Yes, they will come to a complete stop right where they collided. You in fact did give all the info one needs to conclude this.

As they are the same mass, traveling head on, and are (perfectly) inelastic, they will simply splat and merge their masses while canceling out each other's velocity. If there is some elasticity, they will bounce back away from each other. But to know how far and how fast we need to know just how elastic each ball is.

We can see this from Mv' = mv - mv = m(v - v) = 0; so that v' (the velocity after the two masses (m) stick together) is v' = 0/M; where M is the combined masses after the collision. v and -v are the initial velocities of the two equal masses before they collide. The minus sign on one of the v's means that mass is traveling in the opposite direction from the one without the minus sign.

mv and Mv' are both called momentum, which is simply the mass of something times its velocity.

Answer 2

Inealstic collisions are defined as when the colliding bodies are stuck together.

To properly address your question, we will not look at forces but at the total momentum. The law of conservation of momentum states that the the total momentum of an isolated system is constant. Now, assuming the bodies are not acted upon by any other entity, then the law can be followed. Since their speeds and masses are the same, the momentum (p=mv) of each particle is equal to the other.

Since momentum is a vector, their directions must be taken into account. If the 2 particles are meeting head on, we simply do vector addition for both of them, Since they are numerically equal, the resultant vector (total momentum) must be zero. Implying that the net velociy is also 0. Since the 2 bodies have stuck (by definition of inelastic collision), then it must not be moving. Hence they nullify each other's motion.

Answer 3

All matter is elastic to some degree.

Try this experiment. Roll two billiard balls into each other at the same speed. Do the balls bounce or stop? Off hand, I'd say they bounce.

But let's say there is an inelastic substance. Two identical spherical 'things' are traveling with the same velocity but exactly opposite directions. Since they are inelastic there would be no bounce, but their kinetic energy would have to be released somehow, perhaps by heating them up at the point of contact.

Answer 4

The collision could be elastic where the forces nullify or inelastic where there is an alteration in each object's momentum

Answer 5

It depends on the kind of collision, whether it is an elastic or inelastic collision, if it is head-on or at an angle, mass of the bodies - there's a lot of variables.

Answer 6

momentum before the collision = momentum afterwards

Therefore the two objects would rebound off each other at almost the same speed as the collided (some energy would be lost) unless the objects bind in which case there forces would cancel each other.

i.e. two plastic balls would rebound
two soft clay balls would collide and stop

Answer 7

if they have the same velocity how can there be a head on collision unless when you say velocity you mean speed and you do not differentiate between vectors and scalars!!
if the collision is perfectly elastic no energy will be lost and they will become stationary

Answer 8

hi Pete - the challenge is that you replaced your inertial body contained in the course of the question. You began by technique of declaring that each and each and every vacationer became shifting at 0.9c in opposite guidelines - yet relative to what inertial body? then you certainly stated that the inertial body became connected to vacationer A. once you probably did that, the relationship between both travellers replaced, because you ought to state relative velocities in words of one body of reference. once you try this and note the Lorentz remodel equations as defined above, you stumble on that no merchandise can attain the speed of sunshine relative to a unique observer in any body of reference. such issues as measured time period and measured length interior the inertial body replace with the intention to make this all genuine.

Answer 9

Are they the same mass?