Question

Two steel balls collide and bounce apart in an isolated system. If the final kinetic energy is less than the initial kinetic energy, what of the following is true?

a) Momentum is conserved in this elastic collision incorrect

b) Momentum is not conserved in this elastic collision

c) Momentum is conserved in this inelastic collision

d) Momentum is not conserved in this inelastic collision

I selected a), and it was wrong. My understanding is that momentum is always conserved. Is that correct? Also, how do I distinguish between elastic and inelastic collisions?

thank you!
bobpursley
on answer a, it stated conserved in this elastic...it is NOT elastic collision.

try answer c)

Momentum is always conserved.

Related Questions

two perfect elastic balls of same mass m are moving with velocities u1 and u2 . they collide elastic... A student is experimenting with two sets of balls colliding in a closed system. In the first tria... two balls are moving toward each other on a track. The balls collide. A student claims there is a ch...