28 Chap.
15 Kinetics of a Particle: Impulse and Moment um
15.4 IMPACT
Impact occurs when two bodies collide with each other during a very short period of .time, causing rclative1y large
(impulsive) forces to be exerted between the bodies. In general. there are two types of impact:
• Central Impact - when the direction of motion of the mass centers of the two colliding particles is along a line
(line of impact) passing through the mass centers of the particles.
• Oblique Impact - when the motion of one or both of the particles is at an angle with the line of impact.
COEFFICIENT OF RESTITUTION
The coefficient of restitution is defined as the ratio of the relative velocity of the particles' separation just after impact,
to the relative velocity of the particles' approach just before impact i.e.,
(vsh - (t1A)i
e= .
(v.<t)1 - (vs)1
• Ela11tic Impact: e = 1. Deformation impulse is equal and opposite to restitution impulse.
• Plastic Impact: ,. = O. No restitution impulse so that after collision, both particles slick together and move with
a common velocity.
PROCEDURE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS (Central
Impact)
In most cases. the final velocities of two smooth particles arc to be determined jus1 after they are subjected to direct
central impact. Provided the coefficient of restitution. the mass of each particle, and each particle's initial velocity just
before impact are known, the solution to the problem can be obtained using the following two equations:
• The conservation of momentum applies to the system of particles:
l:mv 1 = l:m1.12.
• The coefficient of restitution e relates the relative velocities of tht: particles along the .line of impact, just before
and just after collision.
PROCEDURE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS (Oblique
Impact)
When oblique impact occurs hetween two smooth particles, the particles move awav from each other with velocities
having unknown direc1ions as wdl as unknown magnitudes. Provided the initial vcl~itics arc known.four unknowns
arc present in the problem. Jbesc unknowns may be represented either as (v.,)i. (vn)z. 02 , and <J>i, or as the x and
y components of the final vclocitil.!s.
IC the y - ax i:f is established ~'·ithin the plane of contact and the \ - at i 1 along the line of impact. the impulsive
forces of deformatton and restllut1on act on/\ in the x direction. Resolving the velocity or momentum vectors into
components along the r and ) axes. it is possible to \.\.Tite four indepcn<lt:nt scalar equations in order to determine
(VAxh. (vA\·}2. (Vsx>i and (vo 1 ) 2.
15.5 Angular Momentum 29
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• Momentum of the system is conserved along the line of impact x - axis, so that:
L m(vxh = L m(vxh·
• The coefficient of restitution e = vnx ~ 2 :::: ~VA,~ 2 relates the relative-velocity components of the particles along
fVAx I Un.t l
the line of impact (x - axis).
• Momentum ot particle A is conserved along they - axis, perpendicular to the line of impact. since no impulse
acts on particle A in this direction.
• Momentum of particle 8 1s conserved along they - axis, perpendicular to the line of impact. since no impulse
acts on particle B in this direction.
• NOTE. The principle of wvrk and energy cannot be used to analyse impact problems since it is not possible to
kno\\ how the internal force'i of deformation and restitution vary or displace during the collision.
15.5 ANGULAR MOMENTUM
The angular momemum H o of a particle about point 0 is defined as the "momem"
of the particle's linear momentum about 0. It is sometimes referred to as the momem of momenrum.
• Scalar Formulation. The magnitude of Ho is given by
(Ho) , = (d){mt•)
- d is the moment arm (perpendicular distance from 0 to the line of action of mv).
- Directt011of 11 0 is defined b> the right-hand rule.
- Units for (H0 ). arc kg· m2 /r or slug· ft 2 /s.
I
t Ho
