Practice Question

1. State the names of the two main types of collision

Elastic Collisions

Inelastic Collisions

2. Explain the difference between the two types of collision that you have named in question 1.

Both types conserve momentum. 

Only elastic collisions conserve kinetic energy

Inelastic collisions do not conserve kinetic energy. So, during an inelastic collision some of the kinetic energy is transferred to other energy stores, such as thermal energy store.

3. A football hits a garden fence and bounces off. It is moving more slowly after hitting the fence. State the name of the type of collision involved.

General inelastic collision

4. Marie is driving her bumper car around the track and drives into an empty car. After the collision both Marie’s car and the empty car move along together. State the name of this type of collision.

Perfectly inelastic collision as both objects move together.