You know how with momentum...there is inelastic and elastic collisions. Well right now I am doing a lab that is about explosions...so what I am wondering is...if there are also inelastic and elastic explosions or does that not make sense. I have to do a lab that explains possible reasons and explanations of error for why in an explosion of two carts ...conservation was not conserved.
2007-02-06 09:43:41 · 1 answers · asked by Jane A 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
In collisions momentum is conserved, the difference between inelastic and elastic is whether or not energy is also conserved. If energy is not conserved it's because some energy went into breaking something, denting it, creating heat, making noise, etc. Doesn't really apply to explosions. Surely something is broken. Perhaps some piece that flew off could have an elastic collision with something distant but that doesn't help analyse the explosion.
Regarding explanations of error for why in an explosion of two carts ...conservation was not conserved:
* Hot air escaped but could not be measured
* More friction in one of the carts
* Ummm ... pieces flew off that weren't measured
All I can think of without seeing it
2007-02-06 10:05:41 · answer #1 · answered by sojsail 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋