Collision Physics: Totally Inelastic Collision Explained
Which of the following is an example of a totally inelastic collision?
a. a raw egg bouncing off a physics teacher without breaking or sticking
b. a small rock hitting a truck and being sent flying away from the road
c. two billiard balls colliding and ending up traveling in opposite directions
d. a snowball hitting and sticking to the side of a car
Answer:
An example of a totally inelastic collision is when a snowball hits and sticks to the side of a car (option d). In a totally inelastic collision, the two objects stick together and move as one after the collision.
When a snowball hits and sticks to the side of a car, the snowball and the car become one combined object that moves together. This happens because the snowball and the car stick together due to the force of the impact.
In contrast, in elastic collisions, the objects involved bounce off each other and retain their original shapes and velocities. For example, in option a, a raw egg bouncing off a physics teacher without breaking or sticking, the egg and the teacher bounce off each other and move separately after the collision.
Therefore, the correct answer is option d, a snowball hitting and sticking to the side of a car.
To know more about collision visit-