common notation

[kenhung123]

Can Ep be used for all forms of potential energy such as gravitational, elastic?

[lachymm]

Not sure why does it matter?
just use Ke for kenetic
GPE for gravatational energy etc?

[Blakhitman]

Best to use , and the like in my opinion.

[lachymm]

Yeah, no reason to cut corners you get enough time in the exam

[kenhung123]

HMm ok and can I say like Eki Ekf and Pi Pf for kinetic energy initial/final and momentum initial/final?

[Blakhitman]

I always use and so on so I hope it would be alright!

[kenhung123]

You reckon its 'common' notation?
When you want to prove inelastic can you just show Eki and Ekf does not equal and put therefore inelastic? Or you gotta say by definition....inelastic means....in this case Eki isn't Ekf therefore..

[Blakhitman]

Yea just incase I reckon state the condition for an elastic collision then say as Eki does not equal Ekf this is an inelastic collision. Of course you need to show the calculations.

[m@tty]

With an elasticity question in the first line of response I'd just state "For elastic collision require Eki=Ekf" then go through calculations and say "therefore collision is elastic/inelastic ... "

[/0]

There a lots of symbols people may use for potential energy. There is of course E,  but U and V are also very commonly used to describe potential energy. There is no one standard.

As long as the context makes it clear then just go with what you think is necessary. For example, would be fine if the problem has the context of a elastic spring and you need to find the potential energy.