Elastic and Inelastic Collision

In an elastic collision, the total kinetic energy is conserved i.e. the total kinetic energy of
all the objects of the system after the collision is the same as their kinetic energy before
the collision:

total K after = total K before

𝐾𝑓 = 𝐾𝑏

In an inelastic collision, the total kinetic energy is not conserved. For example, one or
more of the colliding objects may not spring back to its original shape for heat may be
generated.

total K after < total K before

𝐾𝑓 < 𝐾𝑏

For a completely inelastic collision of two objects in which the objects stick together and
have the same velocity after colliding,

𝑚1 𝑣𝑜 = (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )𝑣

and

𝑚1
𝑣=( )𝑣
𝑚1 + 𝑚2 𝑜

and

𝐾𝑓 𝑚1
=
𝐾𝑖 𝑚1 + 𝑚2

Sample Problems:

1. A 1.0 kg. ball with a speed of 4.5 m/s strikes a 2.0 kg stationary ball. If the collision
is completely inelastic (a) what are the speeds of the balls after the collision? (b)
What percent of the initial kinetic energy do they have after the collision?