Elastic and Inelastic Collisions - AP Physics 1
Card 1 of 30
What do we call a collision where objects move together after impact?
What do we call a collision where objects move together after impact?
Tap to reveal answer
Perfectly inelastic collision. Maximum energy loss occurs when objects stick and move together.
Perfectly inelastic collision. Maximum energy loss occurs when objects stick and move together.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
In a perfectly inelastic collision, what happens to the colliding objects?
In a perfectly inelastic collision, what happens to the colliding objects?
Tap to reveal answer
They stick together post-collision. Objects combine into a single mass moving with common velocity.
They stick together post-collision. Objects combine into a single mass moving with common velocity.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What happens to the kinetic energy in a perfectly inelastic collision?
What happens to the kinetic energy in a perfectly inelastic collision?
Tap to reveal answer
It is not conserved. Maximum energy loss occurs when objects stick together.
It is not conserved. Maximum energy loss occurs when objects stick together.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What happens to total system momentum in any type of collision?
What happens to total system momentum in any type of collision?
Tap to reveal answer
It remains constant. Newton's third law ensures momentum conservation in all collisions.
It remains constant. Newton's third law ensures momentum conservation in all collisions.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the result when two objects collide elastically and their masses are equal?
What is the result when two objects collide elastically and their masses are equal?
Tap to reveal answer
They swap velocities. Equal masses in elastic collision exchange velocities completely.
They swap velocities. Equal masses in elastic collision exchange velocities completely.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the definition of an inelastic collision?
What is the definition of an inelastic collision?
Tap to reveal answer
A collision where total kinetic energy is not conserved. Momentum is conserved, but some kinetic energy converts to other forms.
A collision where total kinetic energy is not conserved. Momentum is conserved, but some kinetic energy converts to other forms.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the primary characteristic of a perfectly elastic collision.
Identify the primary characteristic of a perfectly elastic collision.
Tap to reveal answer
Total kinetic energy is conserved. No kinetic energy is lost to other forms like heat or sound.
Total kinetic energy is conserved. No kinetic energy is lost to other forms like heat or sound.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
In a collision, if kinetic energy is lost, what type of collision is it?
In a collision, if kinetic energy is lost, what type of collision is it?
Tap to reveal answer
Inelastic. Energy converts to heat, sound, or deformation during collision.
Inelastic. Energy converts to heat, sound, or deformation during collision.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What quantity is always conserved in both elastic and inelastic collisions?
What quantity is always conserved in both elastic and inelastic collisions?
Tap to reveal answer
Momentum. Newton's third law ensures momentum conservation in isolated systems.
Momentum. Newton's third law ensures momentum conservation in isolated systems.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
State the equation for kinetic energy conservation in elastic collisions.
State the equation for kinetic energy conservation in elastic collisions.
Tap to reveal answer
$\frac{1}{2}m_1v_1^2 + \frac{1}{2}m_2v_2^2 = \frac{1}{2}m_1v_1'^2 + \frac{1}{2}m_2v_2'^2$. Total kinetic energy before collision equals total after collision.
$\frac{1}{2}m_1v_1^2 + \frac{1}{2}m_2v_2^2 = \frac{1}{2}m_1v_1'^2 + \frac{1}{2}m_2v_2'^2$. Total kinetic energy before collision equals total after collision.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the value of the coefficient of restitution for a perfectly inelastic collision?
What is the value of the coefficient of restitution for a perfectly inelastic collision?
Tap to reveal answer
- No separation occurs; objects move together with zero relative velocity.
- No separation occurs; objects move together with zero relative velocity.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the key principle that distinguishes collision types?
What is the key principle that distinguishes collision types?
Tap to reveal answer
Conservation of kinetic energy. Kinetic energy conservation determines elastic versus inelastic classification.
Conservation of kinetic energy. Kinetic energy conservation determines elastic versus inelastic classification.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
In a perfectly elastic collision, how does the kinetic energy before compare to after?
In a perfectly elastic collision, how does the kinetic energy before compare to after?
Tap to reveal answer
It is the same. Perfect elasticity means no energy is lost during collision.
It is the same. Perfect elasticity means no energy is lost during collision.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Name a real-world example of an inelastic collision.
Name a real-world example of an inelastic collision.
Tap to reveal answer
A car crash. Deformation and energy loss characterize real-world inelastic impacts.
A car crash. Deformation and energy loss characterize real-world inelastic impacts.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What do we call the loss of kinetic energy in an inelastic collision?
What do we call the loss of kinetic energy in an inelastic collision?
Tap to reveal answer
Energy dissipation. Kinetic energy converts to heat, sound, or deformation.
Energy dissipation. Kinetic energy converts to heat, sound, or deformation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
In a collision, if the objects do not stick and kinetic energy is conserved, what type is it?
In a collision, if the objects do not stick and kinetic energy is conserved, what type is it?
Tap to reveal answer
Elastic collision. Objects separate after collision with kinetic energy preserved.
Elastic collision. Objects separate after collision with kinetic energy preserved.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
In which type of collision might sound, heat, or deformation occur?
In which type of collision might sound, heat, or deformation occur?
Tap to reveal answer
Inelastic collision. Energy converts to heat, sound, and permanent deformation.
Inelastic collision. Energy converts to heat, sound, and permanent deformation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
In a perfectly inelastic collision, what happens to the colliding objects?
In a perfectly inelastic collision, what happens to the colliding objects?
Tap to reveal answer
They stick together post-collision. Objects combine into a single mass moving with common velocity.
They stick together post-collision. Objects combine into a single mass moving with common velocity.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
In an elastic collision, what happens to the relative speed of approach and separation?
In an elastic collision, what happens to the relative speed of approach and separation?
Tap to reveal answer
They are equal. Defines elastic collision: approach speed equals separation speed.
They are equal. Defines elastic collision: approach speed equals separation speed.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
During a collision, if the total kinetic energy increases, what might be occurring?
During a collision, if the total kinetic energy increases, what might be occurring?
Tap to reveal answer
External work performed on the system. Additional energy input from explosion or spring release mechanism.
External work performed on the system. Additional energy input from explosion or spring release mechanism.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the key difference between elastic and inelastic collisions regarding energy?
What is the key difference between elastic and inelastic collisions regarding energy?
Tap to reveal answer
Elastic conserves kinetic energy; inelastic does not. Elasticity is defined by whether kinetic energy is preserved.
Elastic conserves kinetic energy; inelastic does not. Elasticity is defined by whether kinetic energy is preserved.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the definition of an elastic collision?
What is the definition of an elastic collision?
Tap to reveal answer
A collision where total kinetic energy is conserved. Both momentum and kinetic energy are preserved throughout the collision.
A collision where total kinetic energy is conserved. Both momentum and kinetic energy are preserved throughout the collision.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
For an inelastic collision, is the coefficient of restitution less than, equal to, or greater than 1?
For an inelastic collision, is the coefficient of restitution less than, equal to, or greater than 1?
Tap to reveal answer
Less than 1. Energy loss reduces the relative separation speed after collision.
Less than 1. Energy loss reduces the relative separation speed after collision.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Name a real-world example of an elastic collision.
Name a real-world example of an elastic collision.
Tap to reveal answer
Colliding billiard balls. Hard spheres approximate elastic behavior in ideal conditions.
Colliding billiard balls. Hard spheres approximate elastic behavior in ideal conditions.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
State the formula for conservation of momentum in a collision.
State the formula for conservation of momentum in a collision.
Tap to reveal answer
$m_1v_1 + m_2v_2 = m_1v_1' + m_2v_2'$. Total momentum before equals total momentum after collision.
$m_1v_1 + m_2v_2 = m_1v_1' + m_2v_2'$. Total momentum before equals total momentum after collision.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the formula for the coefficient of restitution?
What is the formula for the coefficient of restitution?
Tap to reveal answer
$e = \frac{v_2' - v_1'}{v_1 - v_2}$. Relates relative velocities before and after collision impact.
$e = \frac{v_2' - v_1'}{v_1 - v_2}$. Relates relative velocities before and after collision impact.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
In a collision where two cars stick together, what type of collision is it?
In a collision where two cars stick together, what type of collision is it?
Tap to reveal answer
Perfectly inelastic collision. Objects join together, maximizing kinetic energy loss in collision.
Perfectly inelastic collision. Objects join together, maximizing kinetic energy loss in collision.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Name a real-world example of an elastic collision.
Name a real-world example of an elastic collision.
Tap to reveal answer
Colliding billiard balls. Hard spheres approximate elastic behavior in ideal conditions.
Colliding billiard balls. Hard spheres approximate elastic behavior in ideal conditions.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
In a collision, if kinetic energy is lost, what type of collision is it?
In a collision, if kinetic energy is lost, what type of collision is it?
Tap to reveal answer
Inelastic. Energy converts to heat, sound, or deformation during collision.
Inelastic. Energy converts to heat, sound, or deformation during collision.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the primary characteristic of a perfectly elastic collision.
Identify the primary characteristic of a perfectly elastic collision.
Tap to reveal answer
Total kinetic energy is conserved. No kinetic energy is lost to other forms like heat or sound.
Total kinetic energy is conserved. No kinetic energy is lost to other forms like heat or sound.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →