1.3.2
Momentum 2
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
Elastic collisions conserve kinetic energy. Inelastic collisions do not conserve kinetic energy. Momentum is conserved in both.


Elastic collision
Elastic collision
- In an elastic collision, momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
- Conservation of momentum:
- Momentum before = momentum after
- Conservation of kinetic energy:
- Kinetic energy before = kinetic energy after


Inelastic collision
Inelastic collision
- In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not.
- Conservation of momentum:
- Momentum before = momentum after
- Kinetic energy is not conserved:
- Kinetic energy before ≠ kinetic energy after
- Some of the original energy is dissipated (lost) as heat or other types of energy.


Explosion
Explosion
- An explosion is simply a collision in reverse.
- Explosions are inelastic processes as the kinetic energy of the system always increases.
- The kinetic energy of the fragments comes from the internal energy of the system.
Momentum and Safety
Momentum and Safety
If an object which has a lot of momentum is made to stop suddenly, then a large force is required because of the change in momentum.


Safety features
Safety features
- Cars have safety features such as seat belts, air bags and crumple zones that absorb kinetic energy in collisions.
- These features reduce injuries to the people in the car by absorbing energy when they change shape.
- They increase the time taken for the change in momentum to happen, reducing the forces involved.
1Space, Time & Motion
1.1Motion
1.2Forces
1.3Momentum & Impulse
2The Particulate Nature of Matter
2.1Thermal Concepts
3Wave Behaviour
3.1Oscillations
3.2Travelling Waves
3.3Wave Characteristics
3.4Wave Behaviour
3.5Standing Waves
3.6Simple Harmonic Motion
3.7Single Slit Diffraction
3.8Interference
3.9Doppler Effect
4Fields
4.1Circular Motion
4.2Newton's Law of Gravitation
4.3Fields
4.4Fields at Work
4.5Electric Fields
4.6Magnetic Effect of Electric Currents
4.7Heating Effect of Currents
4.8Electromagnetic Induction
4.9Power Generation & Transmission
5Nuclear & Quantum Physics
5.1Discrete Energy & Radioactivity
5.2Nuclear Reactions
5.3The Interaction of Matter with Radiation
6Measurements
6.1Measurements & Errors
6.2Uncertainties & Errors
6.3Vectors & Scalars
Jump to other topics
1Space, Time & Motion
1.1Motion
1.2Forces
1.3Momentum & Impulse
2The Particulate Nature of Matter
2.1Thermal Concepts
3Wave Behaviour
3.1Oscillations
3.2Travelling Waves
3.3Wave Characteristics
3.4Wave Behaviour
3.5Standing Waves
3.6Simple Harmonic Motion
3.7Single Slit Diffraction
3.8Interference
3.9Doppler Effect
4Fields
4.1Circular Motion
4.2Newton's Law of Gravitation
4.3Fields
4.4Fields at Work
4.5Electric Fields
4.6Magnetic Effect of Electric Currents
4.7Heating Effect of Currents
4.8Electromagnetic Induction
4.9Power Generation & Transmission
5Nuclear & Quantum Physics
5.1Discrete Energy & Radioactivity
5.2Nuclear Reactions
5.3The Interaction of Matter with Radiation
6Measurements
6.1Measurements & Errors
6.2Uncertainties & Errors
6.3Vectors & Scalars
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