Calculate the final velocity and kinetic energy loss for inelastic collisions. Our Inelastic Collision Calculator helps students and engineers understand momentum conservation and energy dissipation in systems where objects stick together or deform. Simplify complex physics problems quickly.
Formula:
For a perfectly inelastic collision where two objects stick together after impact, the final velocity (vf) is calculated using the conservation of momentum:
vf = (m1v1 + m2v2) / (m1 + m2)
- vf: Final velocity of the combined mass after collision (m/s)
- m1: Mass of the first object (kg)
- v1: Initial velocity of the first object (m/s)
- m2: Mass of the second object (kg)
- v2: Initial velocity of the second object (m/s)
The calculator also determines the initial and final kinetic energies, and the kinetic energy loss (ΔKE).