Students analyze a collision between a moving cart and a dropped brick that lands on top of it. They use position-time data to determine the pre- and post-collision speeds of the cart and the brick. The individual momentum values of the...

A page describing how collisions can be either elastic or inelastic. Also, learn about what's conserved and not conserved during elastic and inelastic collisions.

Students explore the relative mass of two colliding objects, and determine if that can be used to quickly predict the post-collision speed of the objects? An activity sheet guides learners through the process of determining the rule for...

Test your understanding of how to simulate the collision of two particles with this 8-problem quiz/practice.

Review the key concepts, equations, and skills for elastic collisions, including how to predict objects' final velocities.

Learn how to handle collisions in 2 dimensions and get better at pool with this reference page. Included on this page is a step-by-step procedure to solve 2 dimensional collision problems.

This animation portrays the inelastic collision between a very massive diesel and a less massive flatcar. After the collision, both move together with the same velocity. Students can figure out the after-collision velocity of the two...

This animation below portrays the inelastic collision between two 1000-kg cars. The before and after collision velocities and momentum are shown in the data tables.

This animation below portrays the elastic collision between a 1000-kg car and a 3000-kg truck. The before and after collision velocities and momentum are shown in the data tables.

The animation below portrays the elastic collision between a 1000-kg car and a 3000-kg truck. The before- and after-collision velocities and momentum are shown in the data tables.

An animation that portrays the collision between a 3.0-kg loaded cart and a 2-kg dropped brick. It will be assumed that there are no net external forces acting upon the two objects involved in the collision. The only net force acting...

The animation portrays the collision between a 1.0-kg cart and a 2-kg dropped brick. It will be assumed that there are no net external forces acting upon the two objects involved in the collision. The only net force acting upon the two...

This animation portrays the inelastic collision between a very massive fish and a less massive fish. What is the after-collision velocity of the two fish?

Students will be given only the starting speeds of the two objects and that they will have an elastic collision. From this they must figure out the velocities of both cars after the collision.

This animation portrays the inelastic collision between a very massive fish and a less massive fish. What is the after-collision velocity of the two fish?

This animation portrays the inelastic collision between a 1000-kg car and a 3000-kg truck. The before and after collision velocities and momentum are shown in data tables.

This animation below portrays the inelastic collision between a 3000-kg truck and a 1000-kg car. The before and after collision velocities and momentum are shown in the data tables.

This animation portrays the elastic collision between a 1000-kg car and a 3000-kg truck. The before and after collision velocities and momentum are shown in the data tables.

This animation below portrays the elastic collision between a 3000-kg truck and a 1000-kg car. The before and after collision velocities and momentum are shown in the data tables.

Students improve their understanding of momentum conservation and learn that a recoiling object in an elastic collision will transfer more impulse than if it collided inelastically.

Students will need to determine the amount of KE lost in a perfectly inelastic collision.

Students imagine that they are hovering next to the space shuttle in earth-orbit, and bump into another astronaut of equal mass. If the two astronauts holds onto each other, then how fast do they move after the collision?

Work samples, phenomena, assessment templates, and videos that directly address standard 4-PS3-3: energy in collisions.

A reference page that reviews two-dimensional collisions with key concepts, equations, and skills to understand center of mass motion.