Question

When e < 1, the kinetic energy in the collision is ____

(a) Lost

(b) Gained

(c) Gained exponentially

(d) Unchanged

The question was posed to me in a national level competition.

This question is from Collision in division Work, Energy and Power of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) Lost

Easiest explanation: Coefficient of restitution or e can be understood as the measure of how much kinetic energy is remaining after the collision. As e becomes lesser and lesser, more kinetic energy is lost in the collision. This can be easily understood with by deriving the coefficient of restitution in a completely elastic collision.