IB Physics A.2.3 Collisions and Explosions Key Definitions

Collisions are interactions where two or more objects exert forces on each other for a short time.

In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in an elastic object, such as a spring, when it is compressed or stretched.

In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not.

Momentum is a measure of how difficult it is to stop a moving object. It depends on two factors: the object's mass and its velocity.

In a perfectly inelastic collision, the colliding objects stick together and move as one mass after the collision.