Final answer:
An inelastic collision is a type of collision where internal kinetic energy is not conserved and is transformed into other forms of energy, such as heat, while momentum is conserved.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inelastic Collision Explained
An inelastic collision is one in which the total internal kinetic energy is not conserved. During this type of collision, energy is transformed from kinetic to other forms of energy, such as heat or sound. Conversely, an elastic collision is a collision where the total internal kinetic energy is conserved. Momentum is conserved in both elastic and inelastic collisions. However, inelastic collisions typically involve objects sticking together or deforming, which leads to a loss of kinetic energy. For example, when colliding objects stick together, this internal work may transform some internal kinetic energy into heat transfer or other forms of energy