a child playing jacks bounces a super ball on tha sdewalk. The collision is elastic. Does each object have the same kinetic energy after the collision as it did before the collision?
To determine whether each object has the same kinetic energy after the collision as it did before the collision, we need to consider the concept of an elastic collision. In an elastic collision, kinetic energy is conserved, meaning the total kinetic energy before the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after the collision.
However, in this scenario, we have two objects involved: the super ball and the sidewalk. Let's break it down:
1. The Super Ball: When the child bounces the super ball on the sidewalk, it transfers some of its kinetic energy to the sidewalk upon impact. The ball then rebounds, gaining back some or all of the kinetic energy it had initially. Since the collision is elastic, the super ball tends to retain most of its kinetic energy after the collision.
2. The Sidewalk: The sidewalk, being much more massive and rigid compared to the super ball, will theoretically experience a negligible change in its kinetic energy during the collision. Due to its mass and rigidity, it is unlikely to gain or lose kinetic energy significantly.
So, overall, in an elastic collision between the super ball and the sidewalk, the super ball will retain most of its kinetic energy after the collision, while the sidewalk will have negligible changes in its kinetic energy.