inelastic vs elastic

[pizza1994]

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In a head-on collison between two identical cars, which of the following is true when comparing elastic and inelastic collisions? (Assume that the inital momenta and colliison times are the same, regardless of the type of collision.)

a) an elastic collision is less damaging to the cars than an inelastic collision
b)an inelastic colliison is less damaging to the cars than an elastic collision

Source: TBR

I dont get it.....can someone help me!? The answer is A) but I said it would be B becasue arent car crashes inelastic colliisons?>

 

[pepocho]

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[pizza1994]

elastic means that the two objects that collides will not become deformed. So in this universe, the cars will collide, and bounce off each other like bouncing balls, and has no damage to either car

in an actual car crash, the collision would cause the cars to fuse (if they collide hard enough), and this would be an example of an inelastic collision

perfect thank you 🙂