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preposition

English translation: ... used in [in]elastic collision experiments

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:preposition
Selected answer:... used in [in]elastic collision experiments
Entered by: martsina

19:41 Mar 2, 2009
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Science - Physics
English term or phrase: preposition
in sentences like,
Object for experiments on (or in?) plastic collisions.
Gate for experiments on (or in?)elastic collision.

It's taken from a description of a kit for mechanical experiments.

Thank you!
martsina
Israel
Local time: 15:13
... used in [in]elastic collision experiments
Explanation:
While "experiments on elastic collision" sounds acceptable, I would probably use "elastic collision experiment" instead, so the whole solution can be either "object for elastic collision experiments" or "object used in elastic collision experiments".
Depending on what this object is, "puck" or "cart" may be very appropriate.
In conjunction with "gate", I would probably prefer "used in".

As for the other, it is certainly not "plastic collision" but "inelastic collision". "Plastic" is used as the antonym of "elastic" only when it comes to deformations.

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Note added at 1 hr (2009-03-02 20:41:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

About your added comment: plastic collision sounds implausible.
In elastic and inelastic collisions alike, elastic deformations occur; the difference is that energy is lost (or rather transformed into heat) during inelastic collisions.
In a process that could be called a "plastic collision", the deformation remains. If two spherical plasticine balls collide in such a way that they are nonspherical after collision, then "plastic collision" is justified.
However, calculations are incomparably more complex (or incomplete) for such situations, so the demonstration value of such experiments is very limited compared to elastic and inelastic collisions.
Selected response from:

Attila Piróth
France
Local time: 14:13
Grading comment
Good suggestions, thanks a lot!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4in
BdiL
4... used in [in]elastic collision experiments
Attila Piróth


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
in


Explanation:
Definitely when describing a (theoretical) field of action (or experimentation). Used in mathematics or in inelastic collisions.
Used in practice, in theory.

On the other hand for example (on): used on Earth, on the Moon, on the hand and so forth. When the localization is circumscribed to a "geographical" locus. MAu

BdiL
Italy
Local time: 14:13
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian
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9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
... used in [in]elastic collision experiments


Explanation:
While "experiments on elastic collision" sounds acceptable, I would probably use "elastic collision experiment" instead, so the whole solution can be either "object for elastic collision experiments" or "object used in elastic collision experiments".
Depending on what this object is, "puck" or "cart" may be very appropriate.
In conjunction with "gate", I would probably prefer "used in".

As for the other, it is certainly not "plastic collision" but "inelastic collision". "Plastic" is used as the antonym of "elastic" only when it comes to deformations.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2009-03-02 20:41:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

About your added comment: plastic collision sounds implausible.
In elastic and inelastic collisions alike, elastic deformations occur; the difference is that energy is lost (or rather transformed into heat) during inelastic collisions.
In a process that could be called a "plastic collision", the deformation remains. If two spherical plasticine balls collide in such a way that they are nonspherical after collision, then "plastic collision" is justified.
However, calculations are incomparably more complex (or incomplete) for such situations, so the demonstration value of such experiments is very limited compared to elastic and inelastic collisions.

Attila Piróth
France
Local time: 14:13
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian
PRO pts in category: 12
1 corroborated select project
in this pair and field What is ProZ.com Project History(SM)?
Grading comment
Good suggestions, thanks a lot!
Notes to answerer
Asker: yeah, the first phrase IS about collision with deformations. That's why I chose "plastic". Thanks.

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