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Unit 4: Linear Momentum

Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

Classify a collision as elastic, inelastic or perfectly inelastic from kinetic energy, and combine momentum with energy to solve two-stage collision problems.

Topic 4.4 · 8 min read

This lesson comes with the AP Physics C: Mechanics plan

In this lesson

  1. 01Why kinetic energy can be lost when momentum is not
  2. 02Solving elastic collisions
  3. 03Inelastic and perfectly inelastic collisions
  4. 04Worked examples
  5. 05Where students lose points

The first units’ lessons are free. The plan opens every lesson, every practice question with worked solutions, your study plan and calendar, for $14.49 a month. Cancel any time.

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