Inelastic Collisions: Momentum Conservation & Examples

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter HAMZASHABIR
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Collisions Inelastic
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of momentum conservation during inelastic collisions, with participants seeking clarification and examples. The scope includes theoretical understanding and practical applications of inelastic collisions in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how momentum is conserved in inelastic collisions and requests practical examples.
  • Several participants assert that momentum is conserved in inelastic collisions, while energy is not, particularly in the absence of friction.
  • One participant provides an example involving a car colliding with a garbage can, suggesting they both move together at the same speed post-collision.
  • Another participant reiterates that while momentum is conserved, kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy during inelastic collisions.
  • There is a repeated emphasis on the distinction between conservation of momentum and the non-conservation of kinetic energy in inelastic collisions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that momentum is conserved in inelastic collisions, but there is some contention regarding the conservation of energy, specifically kinetic energy, which is noted as not being conserved.

Contextual Notes

Some statements appear to repeat, and there may be confusion regarding the definitions of energy conservation in different types of collisions. The discussion does not resolve the nuances of energy transformation during inelastic collisions.

HAMZASHABIR
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I don't understand how momentum is conserved during inelastic collision...please help me out with some relevant and practical examples...thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
yes , momentum is conserved but energy is not during inelastic collision (if there is no friction in the system )
suppose a car hits a garbage can and then they both continue going on with a same speed ... you can just google search for lots of examples with mathematical explanations
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: HAMZASHABIR
THE HARLEQUIN said:
yes , momentum is conserved but energy is not during inelastic collision (if there is no friction in the system )
suppose a car hits a garbage can and then they both continue going on with a same speed ... you can just google search for lots of examples with mathematical explanations
THE HARLEQUIN said:
yes , momentum is conserved but energy is not during inelastic collision (if there is no friction in the system )
suppose a car hits a garbage can and then they both continue going on with a same speed ... you can just google search for lots of examples with mathematical explanations
thanks
 
THE HARLEQUIN said:
yes , momentum is conserved but energy is not during inelastic collision (if there is no friction in the system )
Both energy and momentum are conserved in any kind of collision. Its just that in inelastic collisions, kinetic energy is not conserved.
 
Shyan said:
Both energy and momentum are conserved in any kind of collision. Its just that in inelastic collisions, kinetic energy is not conserved.
yes .. that's what i meant to say .. it's a part of the kinetic energy that transforms into another form of energy during inelastic collisions ...
 

Similar threads

High School K Energy & Momentum: Driving Force or Lost Heat?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Undergrad How momentum is conserved in an inelastic collision
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
Undergrad An Alternative Approach to Solving Collision Problems
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Undergrad Why is momentum conserved in elastic and inelastic collisions?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School Ignoring the motion of the Earth for energy vs. momentum conservation
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
High School Why is KE not conserved when momentum is?
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
5K
High School Conservation of momentum in a closed system
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Momentum conservation in perfectly inelastic collision
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Momentum Transfer: Elastic Collision vs Inelastic Collision
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Undergrad Collisions Toolkit: Impulse, Momentum & Energy Formulas
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K