Collisions involve the interaction of two or more moving bodies exerting forces over a short time, categorized as elastic or inelastic based on the conservation of kinetic energy. Elastic collisions conserve both momentum and kinetic energy, while inelastic collisions conserve momentum but not kinetic energy, often transforming some energy into other forms. Practical examples of collisions can be found in sports, safety equipment design, and atomic research, highlighting their complex nature and impact on the physical world.