If I run a sled into a target thirty feet away, does it bounce further if it absorbs more shock, or bounce a shorter distance if is absorbs more shock?
2006-11-19 09:01:39 · 3 answers · asked by Bunny Slippers 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
A little clarification to Steve's answer. If you run your sled into a target, all of its kinetic energy is absorbed by the sled and/or the target. If the target is a perfect spring, the collision will be elastic, and the sled will end up travelling at the same speed in the opposite direction. If the target is a snowbank, the collision will be inelastic, and the sled won't bounce at all.
In both cases, the sled's kinetic energy deforms the target. The spring's deformation is reversible; the snowbank's deformation is permanent.
2006-11-19 09:19:05 · answer #1 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sled will always absorb the same amount of energy when it hits. The answer to your ? lies in the elasticity of the sled, which can vary from zero (no rebound) to 100% (bounces back with same velocity it hit).
'Shock' is a very vague term, and not well defined in physics.
Nor in your ?
2006-11-19 17:10:33 · answer #2 · answered by Steve 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
je ne sais pas
2006-11-19 17:03:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋