Is momentum conserved in an elastic collision but not in an inelastic collision?
1 Answer
Apr 9, 2018
It is conserved also in an inelastic collision if some conditions are respected.
Explanation:
As long as no matter enters or exits the system and no external forces are acting upon our system momentum is conserved.
During a car collision it seems that the external force of weight should be considered BUT its action is along the vertical direction that doesn't affect the linear momentum along the horizontal.
