In an elastic collision, which quantity is conserved in addition to momentum?
Correct answer: A. Kinetic energy
- 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.
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About Collisions
Collisions involve the conservation of linear momentum when bodies interact for a short time. The topic covers impulse, elastic and inelastic collisions, kinetic energy changes, and the coefficient of restitution, with calculations usually based on one dimensional motion. Momentum remains conserved in isolated collisions, but kinetic energy is conserved only in elastic collisions.
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