What does collision is INELASTIC mean?
It means the two objects stick together
and move with the same velocity.
So would collision is ELASTIC mean:
the two objects don't stick together
and move with different velocities?
?????
Yes!!!
A collision is said to be inelastic when there is a loss of kinetic energy during the interaction between the colliding objects. In an inelastic collision, the objects stick together or deform upon collision, leading to a decrease in their total kinetic energy.
To determine if a collision is elastic or inelastic, you can follow these steps:
1. Determine the initial and final velocities of the objects before and after the collision, respectively. This information can be measured from experimental data or given in the problem.
2. Calculate the total kinetic energy before the collision. The formula for calculating kinetic energy is KE = 1/2 m v^2, where KE represents kinetic energy, m is mass, and v is velocity.
3. Calculate the total kinetic energy after the collision using the same formula for each object.
4. Compare the total kinetic energy before and after the collision. If the kinetic energy decreases, the collision is inelastic.
It is important to note that in an ideal, perfectly elastic collision, the total kinetic energy of the system remains constant before and after the collision. In reality, however, most collisions involve some loss of kinetic energy due to factors such as friction, deformation, or sound production.