Physics project need help?

Question

We're gonna do a project on elastic/inelastic collisions and we have to be able to demonstrate each type of collision IN A CREATIVE WAY. Here some things i was thinking:

for inelastic:
shooting an arrow at a target
shooting a dart at a target (if arrows are too expensive or whatever)
Using a toy gun to shoot a foam dart (Nerf gun)

Elastic Collisions:
Take two remote controlled cars and run them into each other with some action figures strapped on top just for fun.

Ok please give me some more ideas and be as creative as you can. thanks in advance

Additional Details

10 minutes ago
why wouldn't my car idea work for elastic ?

Isn't an elastic collision when something hits something and it goes back with the same kinetic energy? like a tennis ball hitting a tennis racket.

Answer 1

To help you out, how about looking into the definitions, in relation to Physics, of elastic and inelastic:
Elastic: objects that return to their normal state after some kind of momentum and kinetic energy.
Inelastic: objects that do not return to their normal state after some kind of kinetic action.
For instance, and elastic band returns to its normal form and shape after you stretch it (assuming you do not stretch it too far so as to break it).
For inelastic, take something like play-doe and throw it against a wall- it will usually flatten out and not bounce back so it is inelastic because it does not retain its original form after going through this kinetic process.
Have you ever watched an arrow in motion under slow motion video photography? If you do, you will notice that arrows bend and wobble tremendously when in motion after firing them with a bow or crossbow- I would say this is more of an elastic collision because the arrow straightens out again after it hits the target.
I think you may have your definitions mixed up because your "inelastic" ideas all return to normal after they have gone through their motions and collusions; whereas, your car crash does not. However, you are correct about the tennis ball- it returns to its normal state after being hit by the racket and the collision is over.

Answer 2

Why not just a more simple project like the Physics of how a rock shatters glass?