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Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Verification

Before collision

 

total momentum = mu
total K.E. = ½mu2
 

After collision

 

total momentum = mu + MV
total K.E. = ½mv2 ½MV2
If there are no external forces acting, momentum is conserved, therefore

If the collision is elastic, K.E. is conserved, therefore,

Eliminating v from these two equations gives something like this:

which, after a few minutes messing about gives

© David Hoult 2008