Inelastic Collisions

Perfectly elastic collisions are those in which no kinetic energy is lost in the collision. Macroscopic collisions are generally inelastic and do not conserve kinetic energy, though of course the total energy is conserved. The extreme inelastic collision is one in which the colliding objects stick together after the collision, and this case may be analyzed in general terms:

Calculation

Derivation of kinetic energy loss expressions

Examples of inelastic collisions

 Index

Collision concepts
 
HyperPhysics***** Mechanics R Nave
 Go Back





K.E. Lost in Inelastic Collision

 Index

Collision concepts
 
HyperPhysics***** Mechanics R Nave
 Go Back





Inelastic Collision Examples

Most ordinary collisions are classified as inelastic collisions because some of their kinetic energy is converted to other forms such as internal energy. Links to some examples are provided.

Car crash

Seatbelts

Airliner and duck

Ballistic pendulum

One dimensional

Two dimensional

Franck-Hertz experiment

Two-truck collision

 Index

Collision concepts

Inelastic collisions
 
HyperPhysics***** Mechanics R Nave
 Go Back