In what type of collision is kinetic energy conserved?

In what type of collision is kinetic energy conserved?

• A. Inelastic Collision
• B. Perfect Collision
• C. Elastic Collision
• D. Plastic Collision

Answer: (C)

Kinetic energy is conserved in elastic collisions. This type of collision occurs when two objects collide and bounce off each other without any permanent deformation or generation of heat. In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, meaning that the total kinetic energy before the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after the collision. This contrasts with inelastic collisions, where kinetic energy is not conserved due to energy being transformed into other forms, such as internal energy or sound. A perfect collision is often a term that is not formally recognized in physics, whereas a plastic collision describes situations where the objects involved deform permanently, further demonstrating that kinetic energy is not conserved in this case either. Thus, in the context of the question, elastic collisions uniquely maintain the conservation of kinetic energy alongside the conservation of momentum.

Kinetic energy is conserved in elastic collisions. This type of collision occurs when two objects collide and bounce off each other without any permanent deformation or generation of heat. In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, meaning that the total kinetic energy before the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after the collision.

This contrasts with inelastic collisions, where kinetic energy is not conserved due to energy being transformed into other forms, such as internal energy or sound. A perfect collision is often a term that is not formally recognized in physics, whereas a plastic collision describes situations where the objects involved deform permanently, further demonstrating that kinetic energy is not conserved in this case either. Thus, in the context of the question, elastic collisions uniquely maintain the conservation of kinetic energy alongside the conservation of momentum.