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?

Question

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!

Answer 1

on answer a, it stated conserved in this elastic...it is NOT elastic collision.

try answer c)

Momentum is always conserved.