Inelastic Collisions: Conservation Laws

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Description

This lecture covers the concept of inelastic collisions, where momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not. It explains the conditions and examples of 100% inelastic collisions, emphasizing the conservation of momentum. The lecture also discusses the variation of kinetic energy in such collisions and introduces the concept of reduced mass in systems with variable mass, using the example of a rocket. The instructor illustrates the application of Newton's second law in the context of a rocket's motion with changing mass. The lecture concludes with a detailed analysis of momentum variation over time in systems with variable mass.

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https://mediaspace.epfl.ch/media/0_yxpd05pb

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