Collision Key Terms

elastic collision

A collision in which colliding objects rebound without lasting deformation or the generation of heat.

Inelastic collision

A collision in which the colliding objects become distorted, generate heat, and possibly stick together.

system

A group of parts that work together as a whole

mass

A measure of how much matter is in an object

scalar

A physical quantity that has magnitude only.

vector

A quantity that has magnitude and direction

impulse

A sudden, involuntary urge to do something

conservation of linear momentum

If the net external force on a system is zero, the total linear momentum of the system does not change.

velocity

Speed in a given direction

speed

The distance an object travels per unit of time

Acceleration

The rate at which velocity changes

inertia

The tendency of an object to resist a change in motion

conserve

To save by using carefully

vector sum

a vector that is the sum of two or more other vectors

momentum

mass x velocity

kinetic energy

the energy an object has due to its motion