Question

What is the coefficient of restitution (e)?

(a) Ratio of final to initial relative velocities

(b) Ratio of initial to final relative velocities

(c) Ratio of final to initial velocity of a body

(d) Product of initial to final relative velocities

I had been asked this question in examination.

Query is from Collision topic in section Work, Energy and Power of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) Ratio of final to initial relative velocities

To explain I would say: The coefficient of restitution (e) is the ratio of the final to initial relative velocities in a collision system. If the value of e = 1, then the collision is perfectly elastic. If it is equal to 0, then the collision is perfectly inelastic.