Investigating Collisions

In a completely inelastic collision, if m1 is much larger than m2, v1 is some velocity, and v2 initial is 0, predict what v will be. Predictions can be variables or numbers.

Investigate your prediction using the simulation. You can use the "inelastic" option or change the slider to "inelastic". Make sure the collision is directly head on. Checking the box for "more data" gives you more control of the values. Record your observations of v final.

In a completely inelastic collision, if m1 = m2, v1 initial is some velocity, and v2 initial is 0, predict what v final will be. Predictions can be variables or numbers.

Investigate your prediction using the simulation. You can use the "inelastic" option or change the slider to "inelastic". Make sure the collision is directly head on. Checking the box for "more data" gives you more control of the values. Record your observations of v final.

In a completely inelastic collision, if m2 is much larger than m1, v1 initial is some velocity, and v2 initial is 0, predict what v final will be. Predictions can be variables or numbers.

Investigate your prediction using the simulation. You can use the "inelastic" option or change the slider to "inelastic". Make sure the collision is directly head on. Checking the box for "more data" gives you more control of the values. Record your observations of v final.

What happens to the total momentum of the system when two objects collide in a completely inelastic collision?

• total momentum is conserved

• the momentum doubles

• momentum is lost

• the total momentum is transferred from one object to the other

In a completely inelastic collision, what happens to the kinetic energy of the system?

• total kinetic energy is conserved

• kinetic energy doubles

• kinetic energy is halved

• kinetic energy is not conserved and some is dissipated into other forms of energy

In a completely elastic collision, if m1 is much larger than m2, v1 is some velocity, and v2 initial is 0, predict what v will be. Predictions can be variables or numbers.

Investigate your prediction using the simulation. Make sure the slider is all the way to "elastic" and that the collision is directly head on. Checking the box for "more data" gives you more control of the values. Record your observations of v final.