Exam-style question
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Define elastic and inelastic collisions. What is the key difference between them?.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Elastic collisions are those in which both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, while inelastic collisions conserve momentum but not kinetic energy.
- The key difference is that in elastic collisions, the total kinetic energy before and after the collision remains the same, whereas in inelastic collisions, some kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound.
Explanation
Why this works
This question tests the student's understanding of collision types in physics. By requiring a definition and a key difference, it assesses their ability to distinguish between two fundamental concepts in momentum and energy conservation.
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