: Why is the outcome of two object colliding is determined by momentum 1 = momentum 2, instead of Kinetic energy 1 = kinetic energy 2?

Question

I think i’m missing something. When two object is colliding and no energy is lost why is the outcome determined by the total momentum formula? (m1v1 +m2v2 = m1v1′ + m2v2′)

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Why is it not total kinetic energy ? (¹/² m1.v1² + ¹/² m2.v2² = ¹/² m1.v1²’ + ¹/² m2.v2²’)

Why do we say momentum is conserved, instead of total energy is conserved?

In: 0

Answer 1

Momentum also takes into consideration vector, so it can describe the outcome of two objects colliding head on or at an angle.