What type of collision involves objects rebounding with no lasting deformation?

• A. Inelastic Collision
• B. Conservation of Momentum
• C. Elastic Collision
• D. Perfectly Inelastic Collision

Answer: (C)

Elastic collisions are when two objects collide, rebound, and there is no lasting deformation. The defining feature is that the total kinetic energy before and after the collision remains the same, so energy isn’t lost to heat, sound, or permanent changes in shape. Momentum is conserved as well when no external forces act. This exactly describes objects bouncing apart with no lasting change in their shapes. Inelastic collisions involve some kinetic energy being converted to other forms and often deformation, with perfectly inelastic collisions being the extreme case where the objects stick together after impact and lose the most kinetic energy.