Elastic Collisions: Kinetic energy is conserved, objects bounce off each other. | Inelastic Collisions: Kinetic energy is not conserved, objects may stick together.

Momentum: Measure of an object's motion (mass x velocity). | Impulse: Change in momentum (force x time).

Linear momentum ($\vec{p}$) is a measure of how much "oomph" an object has in its motion. It's the product of an object's mass ($m$) and its velocity ($\vec{v}$). $\vec{p} = m \vec{v}$

Impulse ($\vec{J}$) is the change in momentum of an object. It's also equal to the net force ($\vec{F}$) acting on an object multiplied by the time interval ($\Delta t$) over which the force acts. $\vec{J} = \vec{F} \Delta t$

A collision in which kinetic energy is conserved. Objects bounce off each other without losing energy to heat or deformation. Momentum is always conserved.

A collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved. Some kinetic energy is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound. Objects may stick together after the collision.

A special type of inelastic collision where objects stick together after colliding. The final velocity of the combined mass can be calculated using conservation of momentum.

Linear momentum ($\vec{p}$) is a measure of how much 'oomph' an object has in its motion. It's the product of an object's mass ($m$) and its velocity ($\vec{v}$). $\vec{p} = m \vec{v}$

Impulse ($\vec{J}$) is the change in momentum of an object. It's also equal to the net force ($\vec{F}$) acting on an object multiplied by the time interval ($\Delta t$) over which the force acts. $\vec{J} = \vec{F} \Delta t$

A collision in which kinetic energy is conserved. Objects bounce off each other without losing energy to heat or deformation.

A collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved. Some kinetic energy is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound. Objects may stick together after the collision.

A special type of inelastic collision where objects stick together after colliding.