A molecule in a gas container hits a horizontal wall with speed 200 m s–1 and angle 30° with the normal, and rebounds with the same speed. Is momentum conserved in the collision? Is the collision elastic or inelastic?
Ans: Yes; Collision is elastic collision.
The momentum of the gas molecule is remain conserved whether it is elastic or inelastic collision.
The gas molecule moves with a velocity of 200 m/s and strikes the stationary wall of the gas container, rebounding with the same speed.
It shows that the rebound velocity of the wall is zero. Hence, the total kinetic energy(K.E) of the molecule remains conserved during the collision between the molecules. The given example of collision is an an elastic collision.
Comments
Post a Comment