Which of the following statement is TRUE about elastic and inelastic collisions? (Consider these to be about "perfectly elastic" and "totally inelastic.")

Group of answer choices

Most collisions tend to be partially to completely elastic.

Momentum is conserved in an elastic collision but not in an inelastic collision.

The velocity and therefore the kinetic energy of each object within a system remains constant during an elastic collision.

Most collisions are inelastic because the collision forces cause energy of motion to be transformed into sound, light and thermal energy (to name a few).

"Most collisions are inelastic because the collision forces cause energy of motion to be transformed into sound, light and thermal energy", the given statement is true about elastic and inelastic collisions. ("perfectly elastic" and "totally inelastic")

Answer: Option D

Explanation:

Collisions or interaction of two or more objects with each other can be classified as elastic collision and inelastic collision. In elastic collision, there is no change in the kinetic energy of the object or the velocity and mass of the objects after collision. This is because most of the elastic collisions occur in terms of non-contact force.

But the inelastic collision occurs when there is change in the kinetic energy of the objects after collision. So mostly inelastic collision leads to striking between the objects and one object getting sticked to another object leading to perfectly inelastic collision.

Thus the inelastic collision occurring due to contact force leads to decrease in kinetic energy as most of kinetic energy or energy causing the motion has to be transformed into sound, light and thermal energy when collided with other molecules. Thus, the last statement is true about collisions.