Question:
A molecule in a gas container hits a horizontal wall with speed 200 \(m\,s^{-1}\) and angle 30° with the normal, and rebounds with the same speed. Is momentum conserved in the collision ? Is the collision elastic or inelastic ?
A molecule in a gas container hits a horizontal wall with speed 200 \(m\,s^{-1}\) and angle 30° with the normal, and rebounds with the same speed. Is momentum conserved in the collision ? Is the collision elastic or inelastic ?
Updated On: Jan 22, 2026
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Solution and Explanation
Yes; Collision is elastic.
The momentum of the gas molecule remains conserved whether the collision inelastic. The gas molecule moves with a velocity of \(200 \,m/s\) and strikes the stationary wall of the container, rebounding with the same speed. It shows that the rebound velocity of the wall remains zero.
Hence, the total kinetic energy of the molecule remains conserved during the collision. The given collision is an example of an elastic collision.
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Concepts Used:
Work, Energy and Power
Work:
- Work is correlated to force and the displacement over which it acts. When an object is replaced parallel to the force's line of action, it is thought to be doing work. It is a force-driven action that includes movement in the force's direction.
- The work done by the force is described to be the product of the elements of the force in the direction of the displacement and the magnitude of this displacement.
Energy:
- A body's energy is its potential to do tasks. Anything that has the capability to work is said to have energy. The unit of energy is the same as the unit of work, i.e., the Joule.
- There are two types of mechanical energy such as; Kinetic and potential energy.
Read More: Work and Energy
Power:
- Power is the rate at which energy is transferred, conveyed, or converted or the rate of doing work. Technologically, it is the amount of work done per unit of time. The SI unit of power is Watt (W) which is joules per second (J/s). Sometimes the power of motor vehicles and other machines is demonstrated in terms of Horsepower (hp), which is roughly equal to 745.7 watts.
- Power is a scalar quantity, which gives us a quantity or amount of energy consumed per unit of time but with no manifestation of direction.