how do we differentiate between elastic and inelastic collisions when we study nuclear and particle physics ??

Question

kursk1943 · Answer

elastic kinetic energy conserved in collisions no energy is lost
inelastic the particles stick together become a single one

festinger · Answer

An elastic collision is where both momentum and kinetic energy is conserved.

An inelastic collision is where only momentum is conserved. Some kinetic energy is lost into other forms, be it potential energy, heat or sound. In some cases the resultant particles may stick together.