So basically I have a homework question that says:
Block 1 (m1, Vo) hits block 2 (m2, Vf) at rest. Block 1 rebounds at Vf1, and block 2 moves forward at a speed not given.
So m1, Vo, m2, and Vf1 are given, but Vf2 must be calculated. My question is how is it that in the end energy is lost?
Final equation: delta KE= (m1•Vf1^2/2+m2•Vf2^2/2)-m1•Vo^2/2
And Vf2=(m1•Vo-m1•Vf)/m2
So if all numbers are calculated why is there energy loss?
In: 0
If energy loss is ignored then it’s not. How are you getting that energy loss equation? Is you derive it and plug in numbers and see it’s wrong? What explicitly is the problem asking for. Are you just trying to find vf2 and noticing that the energy is wrong? Because the equation for vf2 is wrong. You can’t just cancel or add/subtract squares like that, it’s non linear. I think it’s that.
Edit: also, collisions in general are momentum problems, not energy problems. Does the problem say to use energy?
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