In an inelastic collision, what quantities are conserved?
In an inelastic collision, several quantities are conserved. These quantities include:
1. Total momentum: The total momentum of the system before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. Momentum is calculated by multiplying an object's mass by its velocity.
2. Total kinetic energy: In some inelastic collisions, kinetic energy is not conserved. However, in certain cases (e.g., perfectly inelastic collision), the total kinetic energy of the system before the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after the collision.
While these are the most significant quantities conserved in an inelastic collision, other quantities such as angular momentum, total linear momentum in a given direction, total energy (including potential energy), and conservation laws specific to certain physical systems may also apply depending on the situation.