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In an elastic collision, Kinetic energy and Momentum (Mass x Velocity) are conserved?

Option 1: True
Option 2: False

1 Answer

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Final answer:

In an elastic collision, both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved, which makes the statement true. This principle allows for the calculation of final velocities based on initial velocities and masses in one-dimensional two-body collisions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked whether it is true or false that in an elastic collision, kinetic energy and momentum are conserved. The answer to this question is true. In the realm of physics, specifically when discussing collisions, an elastic collision is defined as one in which both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved. In other words, the total kinetic energy and total momentum of the system remain the same before and after the collision occurs.

For example, consider two identical billiard balls where one is at rest and the other is moving towards it. After an elastic collision, the first ball comes to rest and the second moves with the velocity the first had initially. This scenario perfectly demonstrates that both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved in an elastic collision.

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