Exam-style question
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What characterizes an inelastic collision?.
- A.Kinetic energy is conserved
- B.Momentum is conserved
- C.Objects stick together after the collision
- D.Both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Momentum is conserved
Explanation
Why this works
An inelastic collision is defined as one where momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not. The key difference from elastic collisions is that kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound.
Inelastic collisions apply in real-world scenarios like car crashes. Thus, the correct option emphasizes the conservation of momentum.
Common mistake
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