The collision of moving bodies is inherent in all levels of the physical world - from subatomic particles to cyclopean interplanetary and intergalactic phenomena. Therefore, shock forces, which are distinguished by their enormous variety, are of such interest to physicists. Unusual transformations of the kinetic form of energy into potential and vice versa are observed when an absolutely elastic shock is made. The specificity of such a dynamic interaction of two or more bodies lies in its transience and high intensity.
Absolutely elastic impact with its unusual physical parameters of energy exchange is of great importance during construction work (for example, driving piles) or during sports games, where it benefits. It can also carry considerable danger, for example, in car accidents. Consequently, the problems of this phenomenon are important not only for theoretical physicists, but also for motorists, athletes, builders and designers.
An absolutely elastic shock is the interaction of colliding bodies, in which their internal energies remain unchanged. Of course, in its pure form, this phenomenon never occurs in the world of macroscopic bodies. From the point of view of physics, an absolutely elastic shock in the world of familiar objects around us is a synonym for an ideal collision. But in some cases, one can come close to this physical perfection. The shadow of an ideal collision can be captured, for example, at the moment when the collision of bodies occurs, such as billiard balls made of ivory or very hard plastic.
And the phenomenon of absolutely elastic impact can be realized only in the collision of elementary particles, if suitable conditions arise for this. This possibility is due to the action of quantum laws at the microscopic level of the universe. The internal state and the corresponding energy indicator of each atomic particle are discrete (quantized). Therefore, after a collision, particles can fly apart without undergoing changes in their internal states. Such a collision will be absolutely elastic.
The theory says that this will always be so, as long as the energy of the colliding particles is not enough to transfer at least one of them into an excited state, which in a quantum sense is characterized by a large internal energy index. Finally, such a case is also quite possible when, in the collision of two or more excited particles, their internal kinetic energy decreases. In all such cases, it is appropriate to talk about the inelastic nature of the collision.
The impact of absolutely elastic and inelastic bodies from the point of view of physical science has cardinal differences. The second option for physicists is no less interesting, since with this phenomenon there is a loss of part or all of the energy under the influence of dissipative forces. With an absolutely inelastic impact, two or more bodies join, as a result of which they continue to move as a whole. A vivid example is a bullet fired in a sandbox where it gets stuck and is already moving with it. Another example: plasticine and clay balls, which usually collide during a collision and form one object.
In accordance with the same physical law, planets are formed, including the Earth: particles of cosmic dust, colliding, form a larger object, and so "grow" to the size of the planet. True, the laws of celestial mechanics also apply here, as well as many other principles, without which there would be no planets, and only cold lifeless asteroids would fly in outer space. An important component of this whole set of unshakable and eternal laws of nature are short-term dynamic interactions of bodies, in the language of physics called the short biting word “blow”. This is the real Act of Creation of the World ...