Newtons Law of Restitution

When two objects are in direct elastic impact the speed which they separate after impact is usually less than their speed of approach before impact. Experimental evidence suggests that the ratio of these relative speeds is constant. This property, first discovered by Newton, is known as the Newtons Law of Restitution.

Newtons Law of Restitution

Newtons Law of Restitution can be written in the form: Separation speed =e 0 e 1 Approach speed The ratio e is called the coefficient of restitution and is constant for two particular objects. A collision between objects which coalesce is inelastic and in this case e = 0. A collision between two objects whose relative speed is unchanged by the impact is said to be perfectly elastic. For two such objects e = 1. In this case the total kinetic energy will also be conserved.

Newtons Law of Restitution

Separation speed =e Approach speed

Eg1. The diagram illustrate collisions between smooth spheres with identical radii. Calculate e, the coefficient of restitution between each pair of spheres.
3 ms1 1 ms1 0.5 ms1 1.5 ms1

Symbolically, Newtons Law of Restitution is:

v2 v1 = e u 2 u1

Before impact

After impact

Using Newtons Law of conservation of restitution

Can also be written as: v2 v1 =e u1 u2

v2 v1 =e u1 u2

1 .5 0 .5 =e 3 1

e =

1 2

Eg2. Two smooth spheres A and B are travelling towards each other with speeds of 0.1 ms1 and 0.4 ms1 respectively. After impact, the direction of A is reversed and its speed doubled. If e = 0.6, what is the speed of B
0.1 ms1 0.4 ms1 0.2 ms1 v2

+
A B A B

Before collision

After collision

Using Newtons Law of conservation of restitution

v2 v1 =e u1 u2 v2 (0.2) = 0 .6 0.1 ( 0.4)

v2 + 0.2 = 0.6 0.1 + 0.4

v2 = 0.1 ms1 The speed of B = 0.1 ms1