Ages

Introduction

Summary

The conservation of momentum  as well as the conservation of kinetic energy define the elastic collision.   You can change the masses and speeds of the colliding objects by clicking on them. The position of the center of mass is indicated.

Goals

• To show how useful it is to consider the reference frame of the center of mass in studying  an elastic collision.
• To perform a ticker tape analysis.

Features

Click and drag on a mass to set a new velocity.

Click on 'Reset G' to erase the center of mass indicator.

Tags

collision elastic center-of-mass momentum conservation velocity ticker-tape diagram