Investigation: Momentum and Collisions
You will be investigating momentum and collisions using
Compare TOTAL kinetic energy
$$KE_{total}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v_1^2+\frac{1}{2}m_2v_2^2$$
and TOTAL Momentum
$$\vec p_{total}=m_1\vec v_1+m_2\vec v_2$$
Before and after a crash.
Left is the negative direction.
This is a link to the hyperphysics website.
Compare TOTAL kinetic energy
$$KE_{total}=\frac{1}{2}m_1v_1^2+\frac{1}{2}m_2v_2^2$$
and TOTAL Momentum
$$\vec p_{total}=m_1\vec v_1+m_2\vec v_2$$
Before and after a crash.
Left is the negative direction.
This is a link to the hyperphysics website.
| level 1 | level 2 | level 3 | level 4 | |
| Can you draw important conclusions about in elastic and inelastic collisions momentum and energy | You can differentiate elastic and inelastic collisions based on conservation laws. You have done some independent research to verify your conclusions. | You can differentiate elastic and inelastic collisions based on conservation laws. You have done some independent research and verified your conclusions, noting any differences between a theoretical and measured result. |