Final answer:
An elastic collision is a type of collision in which the objects after impact do not lose any of their internal kinetic energy. Total kinetic energy before the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after the collision, and the objects bounce off each other without any deformation or loss of energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
An elastic collision is a type of collision in which the objects after impact do not lose any of their internal kinetic energy. In other words, the total kinetic energy before the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy after the collision. This means that the objects bounce off each other without any deformation or loss of energy.
For example, if two billiard balls collide and then move in opposite directions, maintaining their initial speeds, it would be considered an elastic collision.
On the other hand, in an inelastic collision, the internal kinetic energy is not conserved. After the impact, the objects may stick together or lose some of their kinetic energy.