Describe an inelastic collision.

An inelastic collision is a collision where kinetic energy is not conserved.

In an inelastic collision, the objects involved stick together after the collision, resulting in a loss of kinetic energy. This loss of kinetic energy is due to the deformation of the objects involved and the conversion of kinetic energy into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound.

The equation for conservation of momentum in an inelastic collision is:

m1v1 + m2v2 = (m1 + m2)v'

where m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects, v1 and v2 are their velocities before the collision, and v' is their velocity after the collision.

To solve for v', we need to know the masses and velocities of the objects before the collision. For example, if a 2 kg object moving at 4 m/s collides with a 3 kg object moving at 2 m/s in an inelastic collision, the velocity of the combined objects after the collision can be found as follows:

m1v1 + m2v2 = (m1 + m2)v'
(2 kg)(4 m/s) + (3 kg)(2 m/s) = (2 kg + 3 kg)v'
8 kg m/s + 6 kg m/s = 5 kg v'
14 kg m/s = 5 kg v'
v' = 2.8 m/s

Therefore, the combined objects move at a velocity of 2.8 m/s after the collision.