Momentum & Energy

Discussion

Types of collisions.

Energy in Collisions
type total
kinetic energy		 comments
perfectly inelastic decreases to a minimum objects stick together
inelastic decreases by any amount all collisions between macroscopic bodies
partially elastic or nearly elastic "nearly
conserved"		 billiard balls, bowling balls, steel bearings and other objects made from resilient materials
elastic absolutely conserved collisions between atoms, molecules, subatomic particles and other similar microscopic bodies
superelastic increases contrived collisions between objects that release potential energy on contact, fictional superelastic materials like flubber

Anything else?

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