What Are the Causes of Inelastic Collisions? Definition, Reason

What Are the Causes of Inelastic Collision: A collision is inelastic if the kinetic energy is lost and converted into some other form of energy after the collision occurs. Almost all macroscopic collisions between objects will convert some of the kinetic energy into internal energy and other forms of energy, therefore no large-scale impacts are perfectly elastic.

Collisions in ideal gases approach perfectly elastic collisions, as do scattering interactions of sub-atomic particles, which are deflected by the electromagnetic force. Objects, on the other hand, only stick together during a perfectly inelastic collision. Objects may also bounce off each other or explode apart, and the collision remains inelastic as long as kinetic energy is not conserved. Continue reading this article to learn more about the topic.

Types of Inelastic Collisions

There are two types of inelastic collisions:

Partially Inelastic

Partially inelastic collisions are the most common form of collisions in the real world.

The cause of inelasticity can be –

Friction: How did cavemen light fires? By striking two stones together.
Cavemen were smarter than we give them credit for!
Deformation: After a collision, there is deformation in the car, which is why some kinetic energy is lost!
The cars’ kinetic energy was used to turn them into modern art.
Vibrations in the body: The ringing of a bell causes vibration and hence we know that it is an elastic collision.
Cymbals, drums, and bells convert kinetic energy into sound energy!

The results – sound, heat (friction causes heat to be formed), light, bending/breaking (or any deformation). If any of these are happening (and they usually are), then it is partially inelastic collisions.

Perfectly Inelastic

A Perfectly Inelastic collision is when the maximum amount possible of the system’s kinetic energy is lost. Remember, of course, that momentum is still conserved. This usually means that the system’s net momentum stays the same, but the relative velocity of the colliding bodies becomes the minimum possible.

What happens? The bodies stick together. i.e. the coefficient of restitution is zero! This usually happens to bodies that can be deformed easily, such as clay (or cars!).

Momentum is conserved, and the kinetic energy is minimized. If both bodies were approaching each other with equal and opposite momentum, they would collide and stop in place, as the initial net momentum was zero.

FAQs on What Are the Causes of Inelastic Collisions?

Q.1: Is momentum conserved in the case of an inelastic collision?
Ans: Yes, momentum is conserved in an inelastic collision.

Q.2: Is Kinetic energy conserved in an inelastic collision?
Ans: No, Kinetic energy is not conserved in an inelastic collision.

Q.3: Is it possible to have a perfectly elastic collision?
Ans: No, it’s impossible to have perfectly elastic collisions. However, it is possible for subatomic particles but not for real-world objects.

Q.4: What are some real-world examples of inelastic collisions?
Ans: Some of the common examples of inelastic collisions are:
(i) The ball is dropped from a certain height and it is unable to rise to its original height.
(ii) When a soft mudball is thrown against the wall, it will stick to the wall.
(iii) The accident of two vehicles
(iv) A car hitting a tree

Q.5: Which is more common – elastic or inelastic collision?
Ans: Inelastic collisions are more common in our day-to-day life.