Elastic Deformation vs Inelastic Deformation
Physics: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 1.5.2
Elastic Deformation vs Inelastic Deformation
Objects can be deformed in 2 ways - elastically and inelastically.
Elastic deformation
- An elastically deformed object will return to its original shape when the force stops.
- A spring is an elastic object.
- Springs return to their original shape when forces stop acting on them.
Inelastic deformation
- An inelastically deformed object will not return to its original shape when the force stops.
- A car is an inelastic object.
- After a car has crashed into a tree, it will not return to its original shape.