Question

A large body collides with a stationary small body from the rear end. How do the bodies behave if the collision is inelastic?

Answer 1

some amount of kinetic energy transfer into sound or light or heat energy...

Answer 2

Let us try to apply cons of momentum
M=mass of large body
m=mass of small body
v=initial velocity of M
V=final common velocity after inelastic coll

Mv = (M+m)V

V=Mv/(M+m)
if M>>m

V=Mv/M =v

Which means that big body will still keep on cruising with its initial velocity dragging the little body with it.

Answer 3

does it happen to move in an opposite direction?