Yes, it is possible to lose all KE, when two masses of equal and opposite momentum collide and stick together.
A bouncing ball loses a fraction of its kinetic energy with each bounce.
Is it impossible to lose all of the kinetic energy in a collision? Or, does a ball which bounces several times before eventually coming to rest show how kinetic energy can completely disappear?
2 answers
Take a wet glob of bubble gum and slam it into the floor. It sticks with a splat. Momentum is conserved, as the Earth moves. Then the Earth must have some reactionary velocity,
KE remaining= 1/2 Me V^2
But what is that V? Massbubblegum*velocity (let use number, say 10 g, and 2 m/s
KE bubblegum= 1/2 *.01*4= .02J
now conservation of momentum..
.01*2= (Me+.10)V
Vearth= .02/10^24
KE Earth= 1/2 Me (.02/Me)^2=E-4-24
portion of ke remaining= E-28/.02=5E-30
is that close enough to zero (lose all KE)?
KE remaining= 1/2 Me V^2
But what is that V? Massbubblegum*velocity (let use number, say 10 g, and 2 m/s
KE bubblegum= 1/2 *.01*4= .02J
now conservation of momentum..
.01*2= (Me+.10)V
Vearth= .02/10^24
KE Earth= 1/2 Me (.02/Me)^2=E-4-24
portion of ke remaining= E-28/.02=5E-30
is that close enough to zero (lose all KE)?
6 answers