All Flashcards
Label the diagram of an inelastic collision.
Objects stick together after the collision, kinetic energy is not conserved.
Label the diagram of an elastic collision.
Objects bounce off each other, both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved.
What are the differences between elastic and inelastic collisions?
Elastic: Both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. Inelastic: Momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not.
What happens when the net external force on a system is zero?
The total momentum of the system remains constant.
What happens in a completely inelastic collision?
Objects stick together, and kinetic energy is not conserved.
What happens if the net external force on a system is zero regarding the center of mass?
The acceleration of the center of mass is zero; if moving, it continues with the same velocity.
What happens if there's a net external force on a system regarding the center of mass?
The center of mass will accelerate as if it were a single particle with the total mass of the system.