What is the difference between elastic collision and inelastic collision?
Understand the Problem
The question is seeking to understand the distinctions between elastic and inelastic collisions, which are physical concepts related to the conservation of kinetic energy and momentum during collisions between objects.
Answer
Elastic collision conserves kinetic energy; inelastic does not.
In an elastic collision, kinetic energy is conserved before and after the collision, while in an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved and is often absorbed by the surroundings.
Answer for screen readers
In an elastic collision, kinetic energy is conserved before and after the collision, while in an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved and is often absorbed by the surroundings.
More Information
In a perfectly elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. In perfectly inelastic collisions, objects stick together after the collision, which is why kinetic energy is lost in the form of sound, heat, or deformation.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming momentum is not conserved in inelastic collisions. While kinetic energy is not conserved, momentum is always conserved in both types of collisions.
Sources
- What are elastic and inelastic collisions? (article) - Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
- Elastic and Inelastic Collisions | Study.com - study.com
- What are the differences between elastic and inelastic collisions - byjus.com
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