Air track collisions – conservation of momentum

PhysicsEnergy & MomentumAges 15–16

Two carts of mass m₁ and m₂ move with velocities v₁ and v₂ on an air track, then collide either elastically or inelastically (sticking together). Graphs of p₁, p₂, and the total p over time show that total momentum stays constant, and a table compares momentum and kinetic energy before and after the collision. Drag a cart to change its starting position.