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Perfectly Inelastic Collision Calculator

Common velocity when two bodies stick together.

Compute the common final velocity of two bodies after a perfectly inelastic 1D collision (they stick together), using conservation of momentum: v_f = (m₁v₁ + m₂v₂) / (m₁ + m₂). Also reports the kinetic energy lost.

Dr. Helena Ortiz By Dr. Helena Ortiz
Published Last reviewed 1 min read

Inputs

kg
m/s
kg
m/s

Results

Enter values and click Calculate to see results.
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How to use this calculator

  1. Fill in the inputs above using the units you already have.
  2. Values update automatically as you type — no submit button needed.
  3. Hover any result row for the underlying formula and intermediate values.

Formula

v_f = (m₁ · v₁ + m₂ · v₂) / (m₁ + m₂)

In depth

Compute the common final velocity of two bodies after a perfectly inelastic 1D collision (they stick together), using conservation of momentum: v_f = (m₁v₁ + m₂v₂) / (m₁ + m₂). Also reports the kinetic energy lost.