Is momentum conserved in an elastic collision but not in an inelastic collision?

1 Answer
Gió
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.

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