Linear Momentum and Collisions Topic

Identical clay balls dropped onto hard and soft surfaces show how impact duration affects peak force. The clay permanently records the deformation, making the impulse-momentum theorem visually concrete: same momentum …

Demonstrates conservation of momentum using two spring-loaded carts that push apart from rest. By adding mass to one cart, students observe the inverse relationship between mass and velocity when total …

Demonstrates rocket propulsion via Newton's Third Law and conservation of momentum. Expelling gas in one direction accelerates the cart in the opposite direction, showing that rockets need no external medium …

A toy water rocket demonstrates rocket propulsion via conservation of momentum. Pressurized air expels water downward; the rocket accelerates upward — a dramatic, memorable example of Newton's Third Law.

A balloon on a low-friction cart demonstrates rocket propulsion via Newton's Third Law. As air is expelled backward, the cart accelerates forward, illustrating momentum conservation in a variable-mass system.

Demonstrates conservation of momentum and kinetic energy in elastic collisions. Students predict outcomes for different numbers of balls and for a double-mass ball, testing whether both conservation laws are satisfied …

Air track gliders with interchangeable attachments demonstrate elastic and inelastic collisions. Students observe that momentum is conserved in both cases, while kinetic energy is conserved only in elastic collisions.

Demonstrates elastic and perfectly inelastic collisions using PASCO dynamics carts on a track. Magnetic bumpers produce near-perfect elastic collisions; Velcro surfaces produce perfectly inelastic collisions where the carts stick together.

Demonstrates elastic collisions in 1D and 2D using billiard balls launched from metal channel guides. Students observe that head-on collisions produce complete velocity exchange (180° rebound), while offset collisions scatter …

A collection of different-sized superballs for comparing coefficients of restitution and demonstrating how spin affects bounce direction. Drop simultaneously to compare energy loss, or apply spin to show trajectory changes …