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. Note that the trajectory of the center of mass is not disturbed by the collision.

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 (including direction).

Tags

momentum impulsion velocity conservation center-of-mass barycenter elastic-collision ticker-tape diagrams