mechanics

Momentum & Collisions

Watch spheres collide in 3D — both elastic and inelastic. See momentum conservation, kinetic energy transfer, and impulse in action with realistic physics and glowing trails.

Collisions

Both

Momentum is always conserved in collisions. In elastic collisions, kinetic energy is also conserved. In inelastic collisions, some kinetic energy is converted to other forms. The coefficient of restitution determines how bouncy a collision is.

Mass 11.0kg

Mass 21.0kg

Speed 13.0m/s

Speed 2-1.0m/s

Restitution1.0

📐 Formulas

m_1 u_1 + m_2 u_2 = m_1 v_1 + m_2 v_2Total momentum before = after

v_1 = \frac{m_1-m_2}{m_1+m_2}u_1 + \frac{2m_2}{m_1+m_2}u_2Elastic collision velocity

J = F\Delta t = \Delta pChange in momentum

KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2Energy of motion

📋 Syllabus

AQA4.5.6.2

EdexcelTopic 6

OCR3.1.4