Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

Mr. Anderson explains the concepts of elastic and inelastic collisions in AP Physics. He uses examples of balls and matchbox cars to illustrate how energy and momentum are conserved or transformed during collisions. Elastic collisions maintain both momentum and kinetic energy, while inelastic collisions only conserve momentum, with some energy converted to internal energy. Simulations demonstrate these principles, showing how to calculate outcomes using conservation laws.

What happens to the energy in a completely inelastic collision?

• It is entirely converted to kinetic energy.

• It is lost to the surroundings.

• It becomes internal energy within the objects.

• It remains as potential energy.

In an elastic collision, what is conserved besides linear momentum?

• Gravitational energy

• Kinetic energy

• Thermal energy

• Potential energy

How is the momentum of a system affected in any type of collision?

• It is always increased.

• It is converted to energy.

• It remains constant.

• It is always decreased.

What is the key characteristic of an elastic collision?

• Objects stick together after collision.

• Kinetic energy is not conserved.

• Momentum is not conserved.

• Objects bounce off each other without losing kinetic energy.

In an inelastic collision, what allows us to calculate the shared velocity of the objects?

• Conservation of thermal energy

• Conservation of potential energy

• Conservation of kinetic energy

• Conservation of linear momentum

What is the result of a completely inelastic collision between two objects?

• They stop moving entirely.

• They move in opposite directions.

• They bounce off each other.

• They stick together and move with a common velocity.

What is the primary difference between elastic and inelastic collisions?

• Elastic collisions involve energy loss, inelastic do not.

• Inelastic collisions conserve kinetic energy, elastic do not.

• Elastic collisions conserve kinetic energy, inelastic do not.

• Inelastic collisions involve no momentum change, elastic do.