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What are the differences between elastic and inelastic collisions?

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Answer: When two objects collide, it is referred to as a collision. It occurs when two or more bodies exert forces on one other in a brief period of time. Basically there are two types of collision:

  1. Elastic Collision.

  2. Inelastic Collision.

Points of difference between elastic collision and inelastic collision is given below:

Elastic Collision

Inelastic Collision

  1. Involves conservation of total kinetic energy.

  1. The total kinetic energy of the bodies differs at the start and end of the collision.

  1. Does not involve change of momentum.

2. Involves change of momentum.

  1. Does not involve conversion of energy.

3. Kinetic energy is converted to other forms of energy, such as sound or heat.

  1. In the real world, this is highly implausible because energy is constantly changing.

4. In the real world, this is the most common type of collision.
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