Inelastic Collision
Definition
An inelastic collision is a type of collision where kinetic energy is not conserved. The objects involved stick together after the collision and move as one.
Analogy
Imagine two cars colliding head-on and getting stuck together, forming a tangled mess of metal. The energy from the motion of the cars is transformed into deformation and heat, just like in an inelastic collision.
Related terms
Conservation of Linear Momentum: The principle that states that the total momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces act on it.
Elastic Collision: A type of collision where both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
Perfectly Inelastic Collision: A special case of an inelastic collision where the objects stick together and move with a common final velocity.
"Inelastic Collision" appears in:
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Practice Questions (2)
- After an inelastic collision,
- What is conserved in an inelastic collision?
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