PHYS 6A Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Inelastic Collision, Point Particle, Weighted Arithmetic Mean
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Both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. Solve the equations at the same time. Direction is important - use xy/+- system. Break momentum into x and y components. Both momentum and mechanical energy are conserved. In an inelastic collision energy is not conserved, force other than gravity acting. Gravity acting to change the momentum, so only energy is conserved. The center of mass of a system is the point where the system can be balanced in a uniform gravitational field. The center of mass is closer to the more massive object. For complicated objects add each piece of the system individually using a weighted average. Center of mass does not need to be within the object. Occurs only when there is an external force on the system. The total mass multiplied by the acceleration of the center of mass is equal to the net external force. Newton"s 2nd law for a system of particles.
