Explain the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions.

In all collisions, provided there are no external forces, momentum is conserved. This is the law of conservation of momentum. However, kinetic energy is not conserved in all collisions. An inelastic collision is one in which not all of the kinetic energy is conserved. An example could be a collision between two cars, whereby both had kinetic energy before colliding, and none afterwards as they came to rest. A perfectly elastic collision is one in which all kinetic energy is conserved. An example of this is interactions between molecules, or in a Newton's cradle.

EE
Answered by Ellie E. Physics tutor

6309 Views

See similar Physics Scottish Highers tutors

Related Physics Scottish Highers answers

All answers ▸

A circuit with a cell of voltage 6V and two resistors of resistance 6 Ohms each connected in parallel. What is the current through the Cell?


A golf ball is hit at an angle θ=45° to the horizontal with an initial speed v0. A vertical wall of height h=10m lies a distance d=20m away. Determine the minimum initial speed v0 required for the ball to clear the wall. Air resistance is negligible.


An internet shopping company is planning to use drones to deliver packages.During a test the drone is hovering at a constant height above the ground.The mass of the drone is 5·50 kg. The mass of the package is 1·25 kg. See questions below


An exoplanet of mass 1.36x10^26 kg is orbiting a star of mass 3.2x10^31 kg at a distance of 1 AU. What is the magnitude of the gravitational force between the two?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences