Understanding Inelasticity: Explaining Kinetic Energy Loss in Clay Balls

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Inelastic collisions, such as those involving clay balls, result in a loss of kinetic energy, which primarily goes into deforming the balls upon impact. The distinction between elastic and inelastic collisions is that kinetic energy is conserved in elastic collisions, while it is not in inelastic ones. To justify the inelastic nature of the clay ball using kinetic energy, one must demonstrate that the total kinetic energy before and after the collision is not equal. This energy loss during the collision indicates the inelastic behavior of the clay. Understanding these principles clarifies the energy transformation during such collisions.
psruler
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Hi, can someone please help me explain this problem,

If a ball that is made of clay is inelastic, how do I justify that using kinetic energy? If inelastic, where does the "lost" energy go in this case?

THANKS!
 
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"How do I justify that using kinetic energy?" That using kinetic energy does what?

In the case of clay balls, most of the lost energy goes into deforming the balls.

cookiemonster
 
I wanted to say how to I justify that the clay ball is inelastic using kinetic energy?
 
An elastic collision is defined to be a collision in which kinetic energy is conserved.

An inelastic collision is defined to be a collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved.

cookiemonster
 
thanks cookiemonster!
 
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