Mass is not Conserved

Student handout: Mass is not Conserved

Theoretical Mechanics 2020

Groups are asked to analyze the following standard problem:
Two identical lumps of clay of (rest) mass m collide head on, with each moving at 3/5 the speed of light. What is the mass of the resulting lump of clay?

Small Group Activity schedule 30 min. build Table top whiteboards and markers,Handout description Student handout (PDF)
Search for related topics
energy conservation mass conservation collision

What students learn

Mass is energy.
Energy is conserved, but mass alone is not.

Two identical lumps of clay of (rest) mass \(m\) collide head on, with each moving at 3/5 the speed of light.

What is the mass of the resulting lump of clay?

Keywords

energy conservation mass conservation collision

Learning Outcomes