Two things collide when they come into direct interaction with each other. A collision occurs when two or more bodies exert forces on one other in a relatively less time period. Collision is classified as:
- Elastic collision
- Inelastic collision
An elastic collision occurs when the system loses no kinetic energy as a result of the collision. The type of collision in which loss of kinetic energy and material deformation takes place, and the lost kinetic energy is transformed into thermal energy and sound energy is referred to as an inelastic collision.
Type of collision in which, when two bodies collide, there is no loss in the overall kinetic energy; this type of collision is known as a perfectly elastic collision.
Read more: Inelastic Collision
Important Inelastic Collision Questions with Answers
1. In which type of collision are momentum and kinetic energy conserved?
- Inelastic collision
- Elastic collision
Answer: b) Elastic collision
Explanation: In the elastic collision, momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
2. Collision of two cars is an example of ______.
- Inelastic collision
- Elastic collision
- Perfectly elastic collision
- None of the options
Answer: a) Inelastic collision
Explanation: The collision of cars is an example of an inelastic collision since momentum is conserved and not the kinetic energy.
3. When two bodies collide, there is no loss in the overall kinetic energy. Which type of collision is this?
- Inelastic collision
- Elastic collision
- Perfectly elastic collision
- None of the options
Answer: c) Perfectly elastic collision
Explanation: There is no loss in the overall kinetic energy in a perfectly elastic collision.
4. What is the formula of the elastic collision?
m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
5. In which type of collision does no conversion of energy take place?
- Inelastic collision
- Elastic collision
- Perfectly inelastic collision
- None of the options
Answer: b) Elastic collision
Explanation: In the elastic collision, there is no conversion of energy seen.
6. In which of the following collisions is the mechanical energy dissipated into light or heat energy?
- Inelastic collision
- Elastic collision
- Perfectly inelastic collision
- None of the options
Answer: a) Inelastic collision
Explanation: In an inelastic collision, the mechanical energy is dissipated into light or heat energy.
7. Choose YES or NO: Is material deformation seen in the elastic collision?
- YES
- NO
Answer: b) NO
Explanation: Material deformation is not seen in the elastic collision.
8. Is perfectly elastic collision possible in the real world?
Perfectly elastic collisions are impossible in the real world since there is always some energy exchange, however small.
9. In which of the following collisions does material deformation take place?
- Inelastic collision
- Elastic collision
- Perfectly elastic collision
- None of the options
Answer: a) Inelastic collision
Explanation: Material deformation is seen in an inelastic collision.
10. State true or false: In an elastic collision, the kinetic energy before the collision and after the collision remains the same.
- TRUE
- FALSE
Answer: a) TRUE
Explanation: In an elastic collision, there is no net loss in kinetic energy in the system as a result of the collision.
Practice Questions
- What is a collision?
- What is an inelastic collision?
- Is momentum conserved in an inelastic collision?
- What are the types of collisions?
- What is elastic collision?