Conservation of Momentum Calculator
Calculate collision outcomes using conservation of momentum and energy principles. Supports elastic, inelastic, and general collisions with coefficient of restitution.
Collision Parameters
Enter object properties and collision type to calculate outcomes
Object 1
Object 2
Collision Results
Enter parameters and click Calculate to see results.
Understanding Collision Physics
Conservation Laws
All collisions conserve momentum: $$m_1u_1 + m_2u_2 = m_1v_1 + m_2v_2$$
Elastic collisions also conserve kinetic energy, while inelastic collisions convert some kinetic energy to other forms.
Collision Types
- Elastic: Both momentum and kinetic energy conserved (e = 1)
- Perfectly Inelastic: Objects stick together after collision (e = 0)
- With Restitution: Coefficient e determines energy loss (0 ≤ e ≤ 1)
- General: Solve for unknowns using momentum conservation
Example Calculation
Given: m₁ = 2 kg, u₁ = 4 m/s, m₂ = 3 kg, u₂ = 0 m/s, Elastic collision
Solution:
v₁ = ((2-3)×4 + 2×3×0)/(2+3) = -4/5 = -0.4 m/s
v₂ = ((3-2)×0 + 2×2×4)/(2+3) = 16/5 = 3.2 m/s
Initial KE = ½×2×4² = 16 J
Final KE = ½×2×(-0.4)² + ½×3×(3.2)² = 16 J ✓