AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Flashcards: Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
How does the total kinetic energy of a system change during an elastic collision?
In an elastic collision, the total kinetic energy of the system does not change; the initial kinetic energy is equal to the final kinetic energy.
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How does the total kinetic energy of a system change during an elastic collision?
In an elastic collision, the total kinetic energy of the system does not change; the initial kinetic energy is equal to the final kinetic energy.
Two clay balls collide and merge into a single mass. What type of collision is this?
This is a perfectly inelastic collision because the objects stick together after colliding.
What happens to the colliding objects' velocities after a perfectly inelastic collision?
After a perfectly inelastic collision, the objects stick together and share the same final velocity.
An ideal super-ball is dropped and bounces back to its original height. Assuming the collision with the floor conserves kinetic energy, what type of collision is it?
This is an elastic collision because the initial kinetic energy of the system is equal to the final kinetic energy.
What is the key factor that determines whether a collision is elastic or inelastic?
The key factor is the conservation of kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is conserved in an elastic collision but decreases in an inelastic collision.
Define an elastic collision.
An elastic collision is an interaction between objects where the initial kinetic energy of the system is equal to the final kinetic energy.
In which type of collision is kinetic energy NOT conserved?
Kinetic energy is not conserved in an inelastic collision, as the total kinetic energy of the system decreases.
Define an inelastic collision.
An inelastic collision is an interaction between objects where the total kinetic energy of the system decreases.
If a measurement shows that the total kinetic energy of a system of two carts was lower after they collided than before, what can you conclude?
You can conclude that the interaction was an inelastic collision, as the total kinetic energy of the system decreased.
What is a perfectly inelastic collision?
A perfectly inelastic collision is one in which the objects stick together and move with the same velocity after the collision.