Bouncy Collisions

Elastic collisions

An interactive lesson with 7 steps, about 6 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Elastic collisions conserve both momentum and kinetic energy.
• Equal masses swap velocities. Heavy hitting light sends the light one off at up to 2v.
• Gravity slingshots are elastic “collisions” with moving planets.

Steps

1. Newton’s cradle
2. Elastic carts
3. Elastic collisions
4. Counting clacks
5. Heavy hits light
6. Stop dead
7. Gravity slingshot