Question

elastic and inelastic collisions – reading comprehension
name:
date:
period:

ngss alignment

• hs-ps2-2: use mathematical representations to support the claim that the total momentum of a system of objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.

reading: elastic and inelastic collisions
a collision occurs when two or more objects interact with each other for a short period of time. in physics, collisions are studied to understand how objects exchange momentum and energy. there are two main types of collisions: elastic and inelastic.
in an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. this means that the total momentum and the total kinetic energy of the system remain the same before and after the collision. objects involved in elastic collisions bounce off each other without permanent deformation. a common example is the collision between billiard balls or air hockey pucks.
in an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not. some of the kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy, such as heat, sound, or deformation. in many inelastic collisions, the objects stick together after the collision. car crashes and football tackles are examples of inelastic collisions.
understanding the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions helps scientists and engineers design safer vehicles, analyze sports impacts, and predict motion in physical systems. even though energy may not always be conserved, momentum is conserved in both types of collisions as long as no external forces act on the system.

part a: multiple-choice comprehension
circle the best answer.

1. what defines a collision in physics?

○ a. when an object changes direction
○ b. when two or more objects interact briefly
○ c. when an object stops moving

Explanation:

The reading states that a collision in physics occurs when two or more objects interact with each other for a short period of time. This matches option B, while options A and C do not align with the given definition.

Answer:

B. When two or more objects interact briefly