An inelastic collision is a type of collision in which the kinetic energy of the system is not conserved. This means that some of the energy is lost or converted into other forms such as heat, sound, or deformation.
In an elastic collision, the kinetic energy of the system is conserved. This means that the total energy before and after the collision remains the same. In an inelastic collision, some of the energy is lost or converted into other forms.
Momentum is conserved in an inelastic collision just like in any other type of collision. This means that the total momentum of the system before and after the collision remains the same. However, in an inelastic collision, the objects involved may stick together or deform, resulting in a change in kinetic energy.
Some examples of inelastic collisions in everyday life include a car crash, a ball hitting the ground and bouncing, and a bullet hitting a target. In all of these cases, some of the energy is lost or converted into other forms, such as heat or sound.
The coefficient of restitution is a measure of the elasticity of a collision. It is calculated by taking the ratio of the relative velocity of separation to the relative velocity of approach. A value of 1 indicates a perfectly elastic collision, while a value of 0 indicates a perfectly inelastic collision.