Thread: What indicates if object will be reflected - certain example

If I throw a small rock(1kg) at a big rock(100kg) the small rock is reflected; Let's say my weight is 80kg - if I would jump into a big rock instead of being reflected I would move in the same direction as a big rock. The big rock is heavier but it is not reflecting me - Why is that?

A lot of it's going to do with the properties of the objects; not just their mass.

Drop a 1 kg rubber ball onto concrete, or a 1 kg rock onto concrete - you'll get different results.

Or 1kg of silly putty.
A human isn't a "rigid" object.
Therefore the collision is inelastic.
(You might also want to take a look at Coefficient of restitution).

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

A lot of it's going to do with the properties of the objects; not just their mass.

Drop a 1 kg rubber ball onto concrete, or a 1 kg rock onto concrete - you'll get different results.

holy hell I love that kitten.

So for a less mass object not being reflected after hitting greater mass object the collision must be always inealstic? Does the shape of an object indicates (partially) collision type ? (I mean to be more elastic or inelastic?)


EDIT: I wonder if the human body in this example(80kg) would be made of steel, would it be reflected instead