The distinction between elastic and inelastic collisions hinges on the conservation of kinetic energy and how energy is transformed or dissipated during the collision.
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Elastic Collisions:
- In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
- Bouncing off each other typically characterizes these collisions, where the objects do not stick together.
- Energy is not lost to sound, heat, or deformation; it is entirely converted between the kinetic energies of the colliding bodies.
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Inelastic Collisions:
- In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not.
- Energy is transformed into other forms, such as sound, heat, or deformation of the objects, which is why these collisions may result in a loss of kinetic energy.
- When objects move together after a collision (sticking together), this is a totally inelastic collision, where maximum kinetic energy is lost.
To summarize:
- A collision is elastic if there is no loss of kinetic energy, and the objects may bounce off each other without sticking together.
- A collision is inelastic if there is a loss of kinetic energy due to transformation into other forms of energy, especially when objects stick together or result in heat or sound generation.
Therefore, the correct statements would be:
- If the collision involves bouncing, it may be elastic, depending on energy conservation.
- If there is energy lost in the collision to sound, heat, etc., the collision is inelastic.
- If the collision involves sticking together, it is inelastic.
- If there is no loss of kinetic energy in the collision, it is elastic.
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