Question

1. imagine that two balls of modeling clay collide, deform, and continue to move in the same direction. how does this show that kinetic energy is not conserved in an inelastic collision?

• kinetic energy is being used to keep the clay together as a unit.
• kinetic energy is being conserved because the balls of clay bounce off of each other and then stick together.
• kinetic energy is being used to deform the balls of modeling clay.
• the kinetic energy stays the same because the balls of clay move together.

Explanation:

This is an inelastic collision, where kinetic energy is not conserved. The clay deforms upon collision, and the kinetic energy that is lost is converted into work done to change the shape (deform) the clay, which demonstrates kinetic energy is not conserved here. The other options are incorrect: kinetic energy is not conserved in this collision, the clay does not bounce, and kinetic energy does not stay the same as energy is used for deformation.

Answer:

Kinetic energy is being used to deform the balls of modeling clay.