An inelastic collision of two objects is characterized by the following.

Options:

(a) Total kinetic energy of the system remains constant.

(b) Total momentum of the system is conserved.

(c) Both A and B are true.

(d) Neither A nor B are true.

Answer:

(b) Total momentum of the system is conserved.

Explanation:

An inelastic collision is a type of collision in which momentum is conserved and kinetic energy is not conserved. That is, there is loss of kinetic energy.

In an inelastic collision:

Total momentum before collision = Total momentum after collision

An example of inelastic collision is seen in the ballistic pendulum, The ballistic pendulum is a device in which a projectile such as a bullet is fired into a suspended heavy wooden stationary block.