What is the main difference between elastic and inelastic collisions?

In the context of collisions, the main difference between elastic and inelastic collisions lies in the conservation of kinetic energy and momentum. Elastic collisions are characterized by the fact that both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. This means that after the collision, the total kinetic energy of the system remains the same as it was before the collision, along with the total momentum.

In contrast, inelastic collisions conserve momentum but not kinetic energy. Some of the kinetic energy is transformed into other forms of energy, such as thermal energy or potential energy, resulting in a loss of kinetic energy in the system. Understanding this distinction is crucial in analyzing different types of collisions, as it helps predict the behavior of moving objects after they collide.

By recognizing that elastic collisions maintain both conservation laws, it becomes clear why the answer highlighting both momentum and kinetic energy conservation aligns with the fundamental principles of mechanics.