3.5. Inelastic Collisions

Question 1

Relative speed of approach > Relative speed of separation

Answer 1

• Total momentum is conserved
• Perfectly inelastic collision: only momentum is conserved, and the particles stick together after collision (i.e. move with the same velocity)
• In inelastic collisions, total energy is conserved but Kinetic Energy may be converted into other forms of energy e.g. heat