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inelastic collision
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Extended explanation
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In an inelastic collision, some of the kinetic energy of the colliding bodies is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat sound and vibration.
Of the two principles which suffice to describe an elastic collision (conservation of kinetic energy and conservation of momentum), only conservation of momentum is available for an inelastic collision.
Therefore some other information is needed, and this is often available in the form of a Coefficient of Restitution.
Explosions:
An explosion can be treated as an inelastic collision. 
Centre of mass:
In all collisions, momentum is conserved, and therefore the velocity of the centre of mass of the bodies in a collision is always the same just after the collision as it was just before.
In other words: the centre of mass instantaneously obeys Newton's first law.
For example, the trajectory of a rocket in which there is a tremendous explosion which is contained inside the rocket will not be altered by the explosion. |
Commentary
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