Elastic Collision 1d

8 MCQs3 revision cards9-step worked example
Source: NCERT Work, Energy and PowerPYQ coverage: NEET 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025Official key: NTA-verifiedLast reviewed: May 2026

Lesson

The high-frequency trap in elastic 1D collisions is treating every collision as elastic by default — or worse, applying elastic formulas to a problem that says "stick together." This lesson covers the elastic case specifically. If the problem says bodies rebound (not stick), and no energy is lost to heat or deformation, you are in elastic territory.

In an elastic head-on collision between two bodies, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved simultaneously. From these two conservation laws applied together, the final velocities are fully determined (NCERT Class 11 Physics Chapter 5, page 15):

v₁ = [(m₁ − m₂)u₁ + 2m₂u₂] / (m₁ + m₂)

v₂ = [(m₂ − m₁)u₂ + 2m₁u₁] / (m₁ + m₂)

Three special cases appear repeatedly in NEET:

  1. Equal masses (m₁ = m₂): The bodies exchange velocities. If m₂ is at rest, m₁ stops dead and m₂ moves off with m₁'s original velocity. This is the billiard-ball result.

  2. Heavy projectile hits light target (m₁ ≫ m₂, u₂ = 0): The heavy body barely slows down (v₁ ≈ u₁); the light body flies off at nearly 2u₁.

  3. Light projectile hits heavy target (m₁ ≪ m₂, u₂ = 0): The light body bounces back at nearly its original speed (v₁ ≈ −u₁); the heavy target barely moves.

Watch-out: The moment a problem says "perfectly inelastic" or "stick together," these formulas are invalid. Perfectly inelastic collisions conserve momentum only — KE is lost. Confusing the two collision types is a common mark-losing error, and NEET distractors are specifically designed around it.


Practice MCQs

Select an option to see the explanation. Wrong answers show why your choice was tempting — and name the exact trap it exploits.

MCQ 1Easy RecallPractice

In a perfectly elastic collision in one dimension, which quantities are conserved?

MCQ 2Easy RecallPractice

Two balls of equal mass undergo a head-on elastic collision. Ball 1 is moving; ball 2 is at rest. After the collision, what happens?

MCQ 3Easy RecallPractice

In a head-on elastic collision between body A (mass m) moving at velocity u and body B (mass m) at rest, the kinetic energy transferred to B is:

MCQ 4Direct ApplicationPractice

A body of mass 2 kg moving at 4 m/s undergoes a head-on elastic collision with a body of mass 6 kg at rest. What is the velocity of the 2 kg body after the collision?

MCQ 5Direct ApplicationPractice

A ball of mass 1 kg moving at 6 m/s hits a stationary ball of mass 1 kg in a head-on elastic collision. What is the velocity of the second ball after the collision?

MCQ 6Direct ApplicationPractice

A 3 kg body moving at 5 m/s collides head-on and elastically with a 1 kg body at rest. The velocity of the 1 kg body after the collision is:

MCQ 7Concept TrapPractice

A neutron (mass m) collides head-on and elastically with a carbon-12 nucleus (mass 12m) at rest. Which statement is correct?

MCQ 8CalculationPractice

Two bodies of masses 2 kg and 3 kg move toward each other with velocities 4 m/s and 2 m/s respectively. They collide head-on elastically. What is the velocity of the 2 kg body after the collision?

Quick recall before you leave

Worked Example

Pattern: Equal-mass perfectly inelastic collision — used here as a contrast problem to reinforce the elastic vs. inelastic distinction, anchored to PYQ pattern NEET pattern: perfectly inelastic equal mass.

  1. 1

    Given

    - m₁ = 2 kg, m₂ = 2 kg (exact counting values) - u₁ = 6 m/s, u₂ = 0 m/s - Part (a): elastic collision - Part (c): perfectly inelastic collision

  2. 2

    Required

    (a) v₁ and v₂ after elastic collision (b) Verify KE_initial = KE_final (c) Common velocity v after perfectly inelastic collision

  3. 3

    Concept

    Elastic collision: both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved → use the standard 1D elastic formulas. For equal masses with one at rest, the result is velocity exchange. Perfectly inelastic: only momentum conserved, bodies stick → use v = (m₁u₁ + m₂u₂)/(m₁ + m₂).

  4. 4

    Formula

    Elastic: v₁ = [(m₁ − m₂)u₁ + 2m₂u₂]/(m₁ + m₂); v₂ = [(m₂ − m₁)u₂ + 2m₁u₁]/(m₁ + m₂) Inelastic: v = (m₁u₁ + m₂u₂)/(m₁ + m₂) KE: K = ½mv²

  5. 5

    Substitution

    (a) v₁ = [(2 − 2)(6) + 2(2)(0)] / (2 + 2) = 0/4 = 0 m/s v₂ = [(2 − 2)(0) + 2(2)(6)] / (2 + 2) = 24/4 = 6 m/s (b) KE_initial = ½(2)(6²) = 36 J KE_final = ½(2)(0²) + ½(2)(6²) = 0 + 36 = 36 J (c) v = (2 × 6 + 2 × 0)/(2 + 2) = 12/4 = 3 m/s

  6. 6

    Calculation

    (a) v₁ = 0 m/s (ball 1 stops), v₂ = 6 m/s (ball 2 moves off at full speed). This is the equal-mass velocity-exchange result. (b) 36 J = 36 J ✓ — KE is conserved. (c) v = 3 m/s (both move together). KE_final = ½(2 + 2)(3²) = 18 J. KE lost = 36 − 18 = 18 J (50% of initial KE converted to internal energy). Note: The masses (2 kg) are exact counting values and the velocities (6 m/s, 3 m/s) are exact problem-defined values. They do not limit significant figures.

  7. 7

    Final answer

    (a) v₁ = 0 m/s, v₂ = 6 m/s (b) KE conserved: 36 J before = 36 J after ✓ (c) If perfectly inelastic: v = 3 m/s, with 18 J (50%) of KE lost

  8. 8

    Common trap

    Using the elastic velocity-exchange result for the inelastic case — writing v₁ = 0 and v₂ = 6 m/s when the problem says "stick together." The inelastic answer (v = 3 m/s, both forward) is qualitatively different. The elastic/inelastic distinction is the single most tested confusion in NEET collision problems.

  9. 9

    Similar NEET-style question

    A bullet of mass 10 g moving at 400 m/s embeds itself in a wooden block of mass 990 g at rest. Find the common velocity and the fraction of KE lost. (Answer: v = 4 m/s; KE lost = 99%.) ---

Before solving, remember these

In an elastic collision, both linear momentum AND kinetic energy are conserved. In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is NOT (some K converts to internal energy / heat / deformation). In a perfectly inelastic collision the bodies stick together after collision.

-- NCERT Class 11 Physics, Ch. 5, p. 14

Two bodies of masses m₁, m₂ with initial velocities u₁, u₂ undergoing a head-on elastic collision: v₁ = [(m₁-m₂)u₁ + 2 m₂ u₂] / (m₁+m₂); v₂ = [(m₂-m₁)u₂ + 2 m₁ u₁] / (m₁+m₂). Special cases: equal masses exchange velocities; m₂ ≫ m₁ at rest reflects m₁ with reversed velocity.

-- NCERT Class 11 Physics, Ch. 5, p. 15

Formulas

10 formulas — click to collapse

Elastic collision — 1D final velocities

Final velocities of two bodies after an elastic head-on (1D) collision — momentum AND kinetic energy are both conserved. Special cases: equal masses exchange velocities; very heavy m2 at rest reflects m1 with reversed velocity.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
m1, m2Masses of the two bodieskg
u1, u2Initial velocities (signed, before collision)m/s
v1, v2Final velocities (signed, after collision)m/s

Valid when

  • Collision is ELASTIC (kinetic energy conserved)
  • Head-on (1D) — for 2D collisions decompose along/perpendicular to line of impact

Do NOT use when

  • Inelastic collision (KE not conserved; use momentum-only + restitution)
  • Bodies stick together (perfectly inelastic case has its own formula)

Gravitational potential energy (near Earth)

Potential energy of a body of mass m at height h above the chosen reference level, in a region where g is approximately constant.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
UGravitational PEJ
mMasskg
gGravitational accelerationm/s^2
hHeight above reference levelm

Valid when

  • Region small enough that g is uniform (typically near Earth's surface)
  • Reference level is freely chosen — only DIFFERENCES in U have physical meaning

Do NOT use when

  • Large altitude changes (use U = -GMm/r general form)
  • Below the reference level — h is signed

Kinetic energy

Energy a body possesses by virtue of its motion. Always non-negative. Frame-dependent through v.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
KKinetic energyJ
mMasskg
vSpeedm/s

Valid when

  • Non-relativistic speeds (v << c)
  • Translational motion only (rotational KE = (1/2) I omega^2 separately)

Conservation of mechanical energy

If only conservative forces do work on a system, the total mechanical energy E = K + U is constant in time.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
K_i, K_fInitial, final kinetic energyJ
U_i, U_fInitial, final potential energyJ

Valid when

  • Only CONSERVATIVE forces do work (gravity, spring, electrostatic — not friction or drag)
  • Closed system; no energy exchange with surroundings

Do NOT use when

  • Friction, drag, or other non-conservative forces do work
  • External forces add energy to the system

Perfectly inelastic 1D collision — common final velocity and KE loss

When two bodies stick together after a 1D collision, the common velocity is given by momentum conservation. The KE lost is converted to internal energy (heat, deformation).

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
vCommon final velocitym/s
m1, m2Masseskg
u1, u2Initial velocitiesm/s
Delta_KChange in kinetic energyJ

Valid when

  • Bodies stick together immediately after collision (perfectly inelastic)
  • Net external force = 0 during the brief collision (momentum conservation)

Instantaneous power

Instantaneous power is the time rate of doing work; equivalently, the dot product of the force and velocity. Average power over an interval is W/t.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
PPower (instantaneous)W
FForceN
vVelocitym/s

Valid when

  • F.v form when force and velocity are both known at the instant

Spring potential energy (Hooke's law regime)

Elastic potential energy stored in an ideal spring of force constant k that has been displaced by x from its natural length. Independent of the sign of x (compression or extension).

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
UElastic PEJ
kSpring constant (force per unit displacement)N/m
xDisplacement from natural lengthm

Valid when

  • Spring obeys Hooke's law (F = -k*x) over the displacement range
  • No internal damping / hysteresis assumed

Do NOT use when

  • Beyond elastic limit (Hooke's law fails)
  • Real springs with finite damping (some elastic PE goes to internal energy)

Work done by a constant force

The work done by a constant force F on an object that undergoes a displacement s is the dot product F.s. Equivalently, W = (magnitude of F) * (magnitude of s) * cos(angle between them). Work is a scalar but has a sign.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
WWork (scalar, signed)J
FConstant force (vector)N
sDisplacement (vector)m
thetaAngle between F and srad/deg

Valid when

  • Force is CONSTANT in magnitude and direction over the displacement
  • Use the COMPONENT of force along the displacement, not magnitude alone

Do NOT use when

  • Force varies with position (use the variable-force integral)
  • Multiple forces act — apply this to each one separately or use net force

Work-energy theorem

The net work done by all forces on a particle equals the change in its kinetic energy. Holds for both constant and variable forces, in 1D and higher dimensions.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
W_netNet work done by all forcesJ
Delta_KChange in kinetic energyJ
mMass of particlekg
v, v0Final, initial speedm/s

Valid when

  • W_net is the NET (vector-sum) work, not work of any one force
  • Particle (point-mass) idealisation; for extended bodies handle internal energy separately

Work done by a variable force

When a force varies along the path, the work done is the line integral of force over displacement. In one dimension this is the area under the F-vs-x curve between the start and end positions.

SymbolQuantitySI Unit
WWork doneJ
F(x)Force as a function of positionN
dxInfinitesimal displacementm
x_i, x_fInitial and final positionsm

Valid when

  • Force may depend on position (e.g. spring force F = -k*x)
  • Generalises to W = integral F.dr in higher dimensions

Exam Traps & Common Mistakes

These are the exact patterns that cause wrong answers in NEET. Each trap includes when it triggers and how to avoid it.

12 items — click to collapse

Category: Overthinking

Student assumes proportionality of speed to remaining distance under uniform deceleration. In fact, KE drops linearly with distance (v² is the linear quantity, not v): v² = u² - 2as. Speed-vs-distance is a sqrt-curve, not a line.

When it triggers

Question describes a body decelerating through stages with given speed at one stage; asks for distance to stop or speed at another stage.

How to avoid

Always work with v², not v, when uniform deceleration is in play. The work-energy theorem gives the same answer faster: ½ m v² = work done against constant force over distance.

Category: Sign Convention

Student writes a = g sin θ for a rough incline (which is the smooth-incline answer); forgets to subtract μ g cos θ.

When it triggers

Question contrasts rough vs smooth inclines, or asks for acceleration on a rough incline.

How to avoid

On a rough incline (block sliding down): a = g(sin θ - μ_k cos θ). On a rough incline (block sliding up): a = -g(sin θ + μ_k cos θ). Smooth case (μ = 0): just g sin θ.

Category: Similar Terms

Student uses the elastic-collision velocity formulas (m1-m2)/(m1+m2) when the question explicitly says 'completely inelastic' (bodies stick).

When it triggers

Question says 'inelastic', 'stick together', 'after collision moves with common velocity'.

How to avoid

Perfectly inelastic 1D: v_common = (m₁ u₁ + m₂ u₂)/(m₁ + m₂). KE is NOT conserved; loss = ½ (m₁ m₂)/(m₁+m₂) × (u₁ - u₂)². Don't use elastic formulas.

Category: Overthinking

Student computes P = Mgv (just lifting against gravity) and ignores the friction-opposing-motion term.

When it triggers

Question describes a lift moving at constant speed with explicit friction force on cable or guides.

How to avoid

At constant speed, net force = 0, so cable tension T = Mg + f_friction. Power = T × v = (Mg + f) × v. Always add friction when stated.

Category: Overthinking

Student computes ideal power and forgets the (1 - loss_fraction) or efficiency multiplier.

When it triggers

Question gives turbine, motor, or transformer with stated efficiency or loss percentage.

How to avoid

Always read the question for efficiency η or loss%. Useful power P_useful = η × P_input or P_input × (1 - loss). Don't drop the factor even if the rest of the calc is in the unrelated parts of the problem.

Category: Similar Terms

Student plugs displacement x into P = F·v formula instead of velocity v.

When it triggers

Question gives displacement x(t) explicitly and a constant force; asks for instantaneous power.

How to avoid

P = F · v where v = dx/dt. Compute v first (differentiate x(t) once), THEN plug into F·v. P is NOT F·x.

Category: Overthinking

Student treats spring PE as proportional to displacement (linear) instead of displacement-squared (quadratic). Common error: 'doubling the stretch doubles the PE'. Actual: doubling the stretch gives 4× the PE.

When it triggers

Question gives U at one stretch and asks for U at another. Distractors include linear-scaling answer (×2 instead of ×4 for double stretch).

How to avoid

U = ½ k x² is QUADRATIC. The PE-to-stretch ratio is the SQUARE of the stretch ratio: if stretch goes from x₁ to x₂, U_new / U_old = (x₂/x₁)².

Category: Overthinking

Student uses ½ m v₀² = m g (2L) (energy to reach top) and forgets the additional v_top² ≥ gL constraint for tension.

When it triggers

Question asks for minimum v₀ at lowest point so the bob can complete a full vertical circle.

How to avoid

TWO constraints: (1) energy: v_top² = v₀² - 4gL; (2) tension at top ≥ 0: v_top² ≥ gL. Combined: v₀² ≥ 5gL. Energy alone gives only v₀² ≥ 4gL which is insufficient.

Root cause: concept gap

Correction

Elastic: BOTH momentum and kinetic energy conserved -> use the (m1-m2)/(m1+m2) form. Inelastic: ONLY momentum conserved; KE generally lost to heat. Perfectly inelastic: bodies stick together -> common velocity = (m1*u1 + m2*u2)/(m1+m2). Identify which type from the problem before choosing a formula.

Wrong option pattern

Distractor uses elastic-collision formulas for two bodies that the problem says stick together after impact.

Root cause: formula misuse

Correction

Mechanical-energy conservation requires that ONLY conservative forces do work. When friction or drag is present, use the work-energy theorem directly: K_f - K_i = W_conservative + W_non-conservative, where W_non-conservative is typically negative (energy goes to heat).

Wrong option pattern

Distractor sets m*g*h = (1/2)*m*v^2 for a block sliding down a rough incline.

Root cause: concept gap

Correction

PE is defined up to an additive constant. Only DIFFERENCES in PE have physical meaning (they equal the negative work done by the conservative force between two points). Choosing the ground as zero is a convention, not a derivation.

Wrong option pattern

Distractor offers a numerical PE value where two different reference levels would give different correct numbers.

Past Year Questions

6 questions from NEET 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. Answers verified against NTA official keys. — click to collapse

How NEET usually asks this

7 recurring patterns from past papers — click to collapse

Sources

NCERT refs: Class 11 Physics Chapter 5, p.15

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