Hi, everyone:

According to the kinetic theory of gas, the gas molecules are in a state of Brownian motion(random zigzag). They exchange energy and momentum by collisions.

For elastic collision, both momentum and energy are conservative. For inelastic collision, momentum is conservative, but energy is not conservative.

My question is:

At what conditions, the collision is elastic? At what conditions, the collision is inelastic? For the latter case, what kind of energy the lossed energy in collision becomes?

Thank you very much.

Tomm

Tomm, For inelastic collision, both momentum and energy are conservative, but kinetic energy is not conservative. The lossed energy in collision becomes heat energy.At most conditions ,the collision in the kinetic theory of gas is elastic.Maybe you could refer to Chapter 1 of An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics(by G.K.Batchelor). Regards, Tian_FB

Thanks for your interpretation. Thanks for your providing with rthe reference too.

Tomm