In an elastic collision, which quantity is conserved in addition to momentum?
- A. Kinetic energy
- B. Mass alone
- C. Velocity of each body
- D. Potential energy
Explanation
An elastic collision is defined by the conservation of kinetic energy as well as momentum, and collisions between gas molecules are treated this way. In an inelastic collision momentum is still conserved but some kinetic energy is converted into heat, sound or deformation. Individual velocities change in every collision.
Related questions
A body of mass 2 kg moving at 3 m s-1 collides and sticks to a stationary body of mass 4 kg. The common velocity after impact is
In an isolated system, the total linear momentum
In a perfectly inelastic collision, the two bodies
A body of mass 2 kg moving at 3 m per second collides and sticks to a stationary body of mass 4 kg. Their common velocity is
In an elastic collision between two bodies of equal mass, one moving and one at rest