Understanding Inelastic Collisions

What is a key difference between elastic and inelastic collisions?

• Momentum is not conserved in inelastic collisions.

• Momentum is not conserved in elastic collisions.

• Kinetic energy is conserved in inelastic collisions.

• Kinetic energy is not conserved in inelastic collisions.

In a perfectly inelastic collision, what happens to the colliding objects?

• They explode apart.

• They stick together.

• They pass through each other.

• They bounce off each other.

Which of the following is an example of a partially inelastic collision?

• A pendulum swinging back and forth.

• A basketball bouncing off the ground.

• Two cars sticking together after a crash.

• A bullet embedding in a block.

What is conserved in all types of collisions, whether elastic or inelastic?

• Thermal energy

• Momentum

• Potential energy

• Kinetic energy

In the example of two objects with equal mass and opposite velocities, what is the total momentum before the collision?

• Equal to the kinetic energy

• Zero

• Less than zero

• Greater than zero

How do you calculate the final velocity in an inelastic collision when one object is initially at rest?

• By subtracting the initial velocities and dividing by the total mass

• By multiplying the initial velocities and dividing by the total mass

• By dividing the sum of the initial momenta by the total mass

• By adding the masses and dividing by the initial velocity

What happens to the kinetic energy in an inelastic collision?

• It is completely conserved.

• It is partially converted to other forms of energy.

• It increases after the collision.

• It remains unchanged.

What does the ratio of final to initial kinetic energy represent in an inelastic collision?

• The change in momentum

• The increase in potential energy

• The percentage of kinetic energy remaining

• The total energy lost

How can you determine the percentage of kinetic energy remaining after a collision?

• By dividing the initial kinetic energy by the final kinetic energy

• By multiplying the mass of the first object by the total mass

• By dividing the mass of the first object by the sum of both masses

• By subtracting the final velocity from the initial velocity

In an inelastic collision, why is the final kinetic energy less than the initial kinetic energy?

• Because energy is created during the collision

• Because some energy is converted into other forms like heat

• Because the objects lose mass

• Because the objects gain mass