PhysRefPhysics reference
Mechanics
Mechanics

Perfectly Inelastic Collision

v′=m1v1+m2v2m1+m2v' = \frac{m_1 v_1 + m_2 v_2}{m_1 + m_2}

Objects stick together after collision. Maximum KE loss.

Variables

v'
Final velocity
Combined velocity after collision
m/s
m₁
Mass of object 1
First object mass
kg
m₂
Mass of object 2
Second object mass
kg
v₁
Velocity of object 1
Before collision
m/s
v₂
Velocity of object 2
Before collision
m/s

Derivation

Conservation of momentum with v₁' = v₂' = v'.

Your notes

0/5000

Common questions

What is the Perfectly Inelastic Collision formula?

Perfectly Inelastic Collision is written v' = m₁ v₁ + m₂ v₂/m₁ + m₂. Objects stick together after collision. Maximum KE loss. It belongs to Mechanics, under Momentum.

What are the units in v' = m₁ v₁ + m₂ v₂/m₁ + m₂?

In SI units, v' is final velocity, measured in m/s; m₁ is mass of object 1, measured in kg; m₂ is mass of object 2, measured in kg; v₁ is velocity of object 1, measured in m/s; v₂ is velocity of object 2, measured in m/s.

How is the Perfectly Inelastic Collision formula derived?

Conservation of momentum with v₁' = v₂' = v'. The result is v' = m₁ v₁ + m₂ v₂/m₁ + m₂.