Elastic Collision:
The collisions in which both momentum and kinetic energy of the system are conserved are called elastic collisions. Elastic collisions occur when both the momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
Characteristics of Elastic Collisions:
1. The total energy is conserved.
2. The kinetic energy is conserved.
3. The momentum is conserved.
4. The mechanical energy is not converted into any other form of energy.
Inelastic Collision:
The collisions in which the momentum of the system is conserved but the kinetic energy is not conserved are called inelastic collisions. Inelastic collisions occur when only the momentum is conserved but not the kinetic energy of the system.
Characteristics of Inelastic Collisions:
1. The total energy is conserved.
2. The kinetic energy is not conserved.
3. The momentum is conserved.
4. A part or or whole of the mechanical energy may be converted into other forms.