Physics Technology Update (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32190-308-0
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-308-2

Chapter 9 - Linear Momentum and Collisions - Conceptual Questions - Page 189: 12

Answer

No.

Work Step by Step

Even if they did not stick together (they continued to move after the collision), there was sound produced when they crashed, heat was produced at the point of contact, energy was consumed in the bending and breaking of metal parts at the point of contact, etc. So, some of the initial kinetic energy has been converted into other forms of energy, meaning that the final kinetic energy differs from the initial. The collision is at least partially inelastic.
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