Kinetic Energy and Momentum
Key points
- Kinetic Energy is conserved – elastic collision
- Kinetic Energy is not conversed – inelastic collision
In a collision or explosion, Kinetic Energy may or may not be conserved.
- The total momentum is always conserved (conservation of momentum)
- Through substitution one can obtain following equation:
Formula Booklet
When Kinetic Energy is conserved, then the collision is elastic.
- Final velocity and mass is the same as initial velocity and mass
- Remember that certain assumptions must be made in order for elastic collisions to occur
When Kinetic Energy is not conserved, then the collision is inelastic.
- The final velocity is different from the initial velocity
- When both bodies stick together, then the collision is totally/perfectly inelastic
- In reality most collisions are inelastic
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