How can we calculate the work done in an elastic collision?

Assuming that this is a 1 dimensional question..

can be defined as the change in kinetic

W = ##E_(k2) - E_(k1)##

This means you would need to determine the amount of kinetic energy the object had before the collision using : ##E_(k1) = 1/2m[v_1]^2##

Then the amount of energy after the collision using the new speed of the object.

##E_(k2) = 1/2m[v_2]^2##

If the collision is truly elastic, the speed going in and out are identical, and so is the kinetic energy. Which means after the collision there is NO work done.

But if you were to look at the point where the object came to rest v=0m/s, then the work would be equal to the original Ek.