What happens to momentum in an inelastic collision?

In an inelastic collision, the total momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not.

In physics, an inelastic collision refers to a type of collision where the total kinetic energy is not conserved, but the total momentum is. This is in contrast to an elastic collision, where both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. The principle of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a system of objects is constant if no external forces are acting on it. This principle applies to all types of collisions, including inelastic ones.

In an inelastic collision, the objects involved do not bounce off each other with the same speed and direction as they had before the collision. Instead, they may stick together and move as one after the collision, or they may move off in different directions but with different speeds. Despite these changes, the total momentum of the system remains the same both before and after the collision. This is because the momentum lost by one object is gained by the other.

The reason kinetic energy is not conserved in an inelastic collision is due to the nature of these collisions. They often involve some form of deformation or change in shape of the objects involved, which requires energy. This energy comes from the kinetic energy of the objects, which is why the total kinetic energy after the collision is less than before.

To calculate the momentum before and after an inelastic collision, you can use the formula p=mv, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity. By adding up the momentum of all objects before the collision and comparing it to the total momentum after the collision, you can see that they are equal, demonstrating the conservation of momentum.

In summary, while inelastic collisions may change the speed and direction of the objects involved, and reduce the total kinetic energy, they do not change the total momentum of the system. This is a fundamental principle of physics that applies to all collisions, regardless of their nature.