When two objects collide, their velocities can change depending on the nature of the collision and the forces involved. In a collision, the objects exert forces on each other, causing a change in their momentum. Momentum is a vector quantity defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity.
According to the law of conservation of momentum, the total momentum of a closed system remains constant before and after the collision, provided there are no external forces acting on the system. This means that the sum of the momenta of the two objects before the collision is equal to the sum of their momenta after the collision.
Mathematically, the law of conservation of momentum can be expressed as:
(m1 * u1) + (m2 * u2) = (m1 * v1) + (m2 * v2)
Where: m1 and m2 are the masses of the two objects u1 and u2 are their respective initial velocities v1 and v2 are their respective final velocities
The change in velocity after the collision depends on various factors such as the masses of the objects, their initial velocities, and the nature of the collision (elastic or inelastic).
In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. The objects bounce off each other, and their velocities can change. After an elastic collision, the relative velocities of the objects are reversed. The exact change in velocity depends on the specific conditions of the collision.
In an inelastic collision, the objects stick together or deform upon colliding, and some kinetic energy is lost. The change in velocity after an inelastic collision also depends on the specific conditions of the collision.
To determine the exact change in velocity after a collision, additional information such as the masses and initial velocities of the objects, as well as the coefficient of restitution (for elastic collisions), is needed.