Collisions

Front

What is an elastic collision?

Back

An elastic collision is a type of collision where both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

Front

What is an inelastic collision?

Back

An inelastic collision is a type of collision where momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not.

Front

What happens to kinetic energy in elastic collisions?

Back

Kinetic energy is conserved in elastic collisions.

Front

What happens to kinetic energy in inelastic collisions?

Back

Kinetic energy is not conserved in inelastic collisions.

Front

Define collision.

Back

A collision occurs when two objects make contact with each other.

Front

What does conservation of momentum state?

Back

Conservation of momentum states that the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision.

Front

What is the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions?

Back

In elastic collisions, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved; in inelastic collisions, only momentum is conserved.

Front

What is an example of an elastic collision?

Back

An example of an elastic collision is the collision between two billiard balls.

Front

What is an example of an inelastic collision?

Back

An example of an inelastic collision is a car crash where the vehicles crumple together.

Front

What is meant by 'momentum'?

Back

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity.