In: Physics
Mathematically, what role does friction play in perfectly elastic and inelastic collision?
Momentum remain conserved irrespective of the collision event occur I.e. whether elastic or inelastic.
Elastic collision is the one in which Kinetic energy also remain conserved, means there is no loss of energy whereas in inelastic collision kinetic energy is not conserved, which means there is loss of energy, this loss of energy might also be because of the friction as well as air resistance.
Friction Rob's the system energy, slowly decreases the velocity.
However, In elastic collision also, we cannot fully neglect the friction, because KE is not fully conserved in this path.