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?

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?

Editor
aran
Keywords
energy conservation mass conservation collision
Learning Outcomes
Publication Status
Published
Publication Date
July 23, 2023, 12:21 a.m.