Momentum - Elastic & Inelastic Collisions PART 1 Elastic Collisions

2. It is interesting to note the change in momentum of the target object, for us m a , in the two
different types of collisions (m a initially at rest is the elastic and perfectly inelastic collisions).
Pick a trial from part (1A) and part (2) where the initial velocities of m b are as similar as
possible. Calculate the change in momentum of m a for the two cases and comment on the
differences. Specifically for which case is the change in momentum for m a the greatest? Briefly
explain why this makes sense, from the point of view of conservation of momentum.
HINT: momentum is a vector! Lastly, let us say you are a scientist or engineer working for
NASA and you are tasked with the responsibility of diverting an asteroid heading straight for
Earth. You know that you must deflect the asteroid as much as possible (without breaking it into
many Earth destroying pieces). The asteroid is the target. Would you want your projectile to
make an elastic or inelastic collision with the asteroid, in the hopes of changing its momentum
by the greatest amount? Briefly explain. Good luck with that task, no pressure!