Final answer:
To prove that something is an inelastic collision, you can calculate the internal kinetic energy before and after the collision. If the internal kinetic energy is less after the collision, then the collision is inelastic. In an inelastic collision, two objects collide and stick together, resulting in a loss of kinetic energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an inelastic collision, two objects collide and stick together, resulting in a loss of kinetic energy. This can be proven mathematically by examining the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy before and after the collision.
To verify that a collision is inelastic, you can calculate the internal kinetic energy of the system before and after the collision. If the internal kinetic energy is less after the collision, then the collision is inelastic. This indicates that there has been a loss of energy in the form of deformation or heat.
For example, if you have two objects of equal masses initially moving towards each other and they collide elastically, they will rebound with the same speed they had before the collision. However, if they collide inelastically, they will stick together and move as a single object with a lower speed.