Episode 7 — Mechanics - Momentum and Impulse

Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

Learners will be able to:

• Identify the difference between conservation laws and principles in an isolated system. • Explain why kinetic energy is not necessarily conserved during a collision. • Calculate the total kinetic energy of objects before and after a collision using the equation for kinetic energy. • Determine whether a collision is elastic or inelastic by comparing the total kinetic energy before and after the collision. • Apply the concept of conservation laws to explain the role of crumple zones in reducing the risk of injury during collisions.