Final answer:
An elastic collision is where both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved, whereas in an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved. Perfectly inelastic collisions result in objects sticking together, maximizing energy loss. Analyzing collisions involves applying momentum conservation, with kinetic energy calculations differing based on collision type.
Step-by-step explanation:
An elastic collision is a type of collision where the total kinetic energy and the total momentum of the system are conserved. During an elastic collision, objects collide and rebound without permanent deformation or the generation of heat.
On the other hand, an inelastic collision is one in which the kinetic energy is not conserved due to the action of internal forces. In a perfectly inelastic collision, the colliding objects stick together after the collision, resulting in the maximum loss of kinetic energy. Although in both elastic and inelastic collisions the momentum is conserved, the distinction lies in the conservation of kinetic energy, which is conserved only in elastic collisions.
To analyze these types of collisions, you can apply the law of conservation of momentum to determine the final velocities of the objects. For perfectly inelastic collisions, you would additionally calculate the recoil velocity and loss of kinetic energy, given the masses and initial velocities of the objects.