College Physics II – Mechanics, Sound, Oscillations, and Waves
Definition
An inelastic collision is a type of collision where the colliding objects stick together after the collision, or undergo a deformation, resulting in a loss of kinetic energy. In an inelastic collision, the total momentum of the system is conserved, but the total kinetic energy is not.
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In an inelastic collision, the colliding objects stick together or undergo deformation, resulting in a loss of kinetic energy.
The total momentum of the system is conserved in an inelastic collision, but the total kinetic energy is not.
Inelastic collisions are often used to measure the coefficient of restitution, which is a measure of the elasticity of the collision.
Inelastic collisions are important in the study of linear momentum, as the conservation of momentum is a fundamental principle in these types of collisions.
Inelastic collisions are also relevant in the study of impulse, as the change in momentum of the colliding objects is directly related to the impulse experienced during the collision.
Review Questions
Explain how the conservation of momentum applies to inelastic collisions.
In an inelastic collision, the total momentum of the system is conserved, meaning that the initial momentum of the colliding objects is equal to the final momentum of the combined object after the collision. This is because the colliding objects stick together or undergo deformation, and the total mass of the system remains constant. The conservation of momentum is a fundamental principle in the study of inelastic collisions.
Describe the relationship between inelastic collisions and the concept of impulse.
Inelastic collisions are closely related to the concept of impulse, which is the product of the force acting on an object and the time over which the force acts. During an inelastic collision, the colliding objects experience a large force over a short period of time, resulting in a significant change in their momentum. This change in momentum is directly related to the impulse experienced by the objects during the collision. Understanding the relationship between inelastic collisions and impulse is crucial for analyzing the dynamics of these types of collisions.
Analyze how the loss of kinetic energy in an inelastic collision is related to the conservation of energy principle.
In an inelastic collision, the total kinetic energy of the system is not conserved, as some of the initial kinetic energy is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or deformation. This loss of kinetic energy is a result of the colliding objects sticking together or undergoing deformation, which dissipates energy. However, the principle of conservation of energy still holds, as the total energy of the system, including the energy lost in the collision, is conserved. Understanding the relationship between the loss of kinetic energy and the conservation of energy is essential for analyzing the energy transformations that occur during inelastic collisions.
An elastic collision is a type of collision where the colliding objects bounce off each other, and the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved.