Intro Page

Try this first: choose a collision mode, then predict what will happen to:

1. the velocity of each cart after collision,
2. the total momentum of the system, and
3. the total kinetic energy of the system.

While the simulation runs, compare:

1. the cart motion in the world view,
2. the momentum equation shown on screen, and
3. the momentum, kinetic energy, and force graphs.

What to look for

• Elastic collision: total momentum stays constant and total kinetic energy stays the same.
• Inelastic collision: total momentum stays constant but total kinetic energy decreases.
• Perfectly inelastic collision: the carts move together after collision and total kinetic energy decreases the most.

Original blog post and credits