Why do inelastic collisions lose energy?

1 Answer
Oct 22, 2015

Kinetic energy in inelastic collision is partially converted into internal vibration of molecules and heat.
So the kinetic energy after the collision is smaller than before.

Explanation:

The definition of inelastic collision is such a collision that causes molecules inside the collided objects to vibrate and heat up.
That is a clear loss of kinetic energy, which, after such a collision, is smaller than before by the value equal to the energy of heat produced by a collision.

The total amount of energy (kinetic and heat) remains constant, there is no problem with the Law of Conservation of Energy.