Elastic collision is a type of collision where the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved, meaning there is no loss of energy during the collision. In contrast, inelastic collision is a type of collision where there is a loss of kinetic energy due to the deformation of objects involved in the collision.
The best way to determine if a collision is elastic or inelastic is by calculating the coefficient of restitution, which is the ratio of the relative velocity of the objects after and before the collision. If the coefficient of restitution is equal to 1, the collision is elastic. If it is less than 1, the collision is inelastic.
An example of an elastic collision is when two billiard balls collide on a pool table. An example of an inelastic collision is when a car collides with a wall, causing damage and a loss of kinetic energy.
In elastic collisions, the mass and velocity of objects do not affect the total kinetic energy of the system, as long as the objects are the same before and after the collision. In inelastic collisions, the mass and velocity of objects do affect the total kinetic energy, as a higher mass or lower velocity will result in a greater loss of kinetic energy.
Elastic collisions are used in sports, such as billiards and bowling, where objects need to bounce off of each other without losing energy. Inelastic collisions are used in car safety features, such as airbags, which absorb the impact of a collision and reduce the force exerted on the passengers.