Difference between inelastic and nonelastic

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the distinction between inelastic and nonelastic collisions in physics. An inelastic collision is defined as one where kinetic energy is not conserved, while nonelastic collisions encompass both inelastic collisions and nuclear reactions, such as fission and various particle interactions. The terminology may vary slightly across different fields, particularly between high-energy and nuclear physics, where inelastic processes include all non-elastic interactions except for elastic scattering. The conversation emphasizes the importance of context in defining these terms.

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  • Understanding of kinetic energy conservation principles
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  • Basic concepts in high-energy physics
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inelastic_collision
An inelastic collision, in contrast to an elastic collision, is a collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved.

http://journals.aps.org/archive/abstract/10.1103/PhysRev.114.1584
nonelastic (total minus elastic).

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/nuclear-...ear-physics-fall-2006/lecture-notes/lec16.pdf
Is inelastic just part of nonelastic ?
nonelastic = inelastic + nuclear reaction [ (n,α),(n,γ), (n,p), (n,n'),fission ...]

Is definition the same for charged and uncharged particles ?
 
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In high-energy physics, all those processes (apart from elastic scattering of course) would be called inelastic. I don't know about nuclear physics. In general, the same words can be defined slightly different between different authors.
 
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The difference may be in quasi-elastic and diffractive collisions: these are ones where the incoming particles emerge intact, but the collision was not elastic.
 

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