Explain why the total kinetic energy of an isolated two-body system cannot increase…

PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials

Problem

Explain why the total kinetic energy of an isolated two-body system cannot increase after an inelastic collision even though the total linear momentum is conserved.

Related theory

Conservation of Momentum
Momentum & Its Conservation
Collisions
Collisions in one dimension
Work, Energy and Power
Linear momentum
Types of collisions (elastic and inelastic)
Elastic and inelastic collisions

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