What characterizes an inelastic collision?

An inelastic collision is characterized by a scenario where some kinetic energy is lost during the interaction between colliding objects. In an inelastic collision, while momentum is conserved, the total kinetic energy of the system after the collision is less than it was before. This loss of kinetic energy is typically transformed into other forms of energy, such as thermal energy, sound, or deformation of the objects involved.

For example, when two cars collide and crumple upon impact, they stick together and move as a single entity afterward. The damage and heat generated during the collision illustrate how kinetic energy is not conserved, reflecting the nature of inelastic collisions. Understanding this distinction is essential in analyzing the behavior of colliding bodies in various physics problems.