The Collision Carts Interactive is an adjustable-size file that displays nicely on smart phones, on tablets such as the iPad, on Chromebooks, and on laptops and desktops. The size of the Interactive can be scaled to fit the device that it is displayed on. The compatibility with smart phones, iPads, other tablets, and Chromebooks make it a perfect tool for use in a 1:1 classroom.

This Interactive is easy to use in order to analyze just about any type of collision or explosion. Different masses can be selected and velocities can easily be changed using the arrows. Collisions can be head-on collisions if the blue cart begins with a - velocity. The blue cart can also be dragged closer to the center of the track so that both carts are moving rightward and collide before reaching the end of the track.Use the Reset button before making any changes that will impact the next trial.

 

This Interactive can be used at just about any stage of the learning cycle on collisions and momentum conservation. In fact, one might want to use it on several occasions - for inelastic collisions, elastic collisions, and explosions. 

The Physics Classroom has prepared three activities for use with this Interactive. The activities are titled Momentum Conservation in Explosions,  Inelastic Collisions and Elastic Collisions. The activities are very similar to one another. As their names imply, one involves a study of exposions, one a study of inelastic collisions, and the other a study of elastic collisions. In each activity, students analyze two different explosions or collisions in an effort to accumulate evidence to show that momentum is or is not conserved in an explosion or by a system of two colliding carts. As written, the Interactives are intended to be used near the beginning to middle of a learning cycle on momentum conservation in explosions or collisions. It would be useful to have covered what is meant by momentum conservation so that students are able to reasonably interpret their results. The Background section of the activity includes a few short sentences that succinctly explain momentum conservation. The activity sheet utilizes a before- and after-collision momentum table to assist students in organizing their calculated data. The activity makes a great pre-cursor to any hands-on activity as well as a good pre-cursor to problem-solving activities in which students use momentum conservation to predict the after-collision velocities of colliding objects.
 

Our Collision Carts simulation is now available with a Concept Checker for inelastic collisions and a Concept Checker for elastic collisions. Do the simulation. Then follow it up with a Concept Checker.

Concept Checker - Inelastic Collisions

Concept Checker - Elastic Collisions

 

Related Resources

• Reading:
  Lesson 2 of the Momentum and Collisions Chapter of the Tutorial is a perfect accompaniment to this Interactive. The following pages will be particularly useful in the early stages of the learning cycle on collisions:
  
  Momentum Conservation Principle
  
  Using Equations as a "Recipe" for Algebraic Problem-Solving
  
  Using Equations as a Guide to Thinking
  
   

• Minds On Physics Internet Modules:
  The Minds On Physics Internet Modules include a collection of interactive questioning modules that help learners assess their understanding of physics concepts and solidify those understandings by answering questions that require higher-order thinking. Assignments MC5, MC6, MC7, MC8, MC9, and MC10 of the Momentum and Collisions module provide great complements to this Interactive. They are best used in the middle to later stages of the learning cycle. Visit the Minds On Physics Internet Modules.
  
   
• Animation: Numerous GIF Animations at The Multimedia Physics Studios
  The Momentum and Collisions section of the Multimedia Physics Studios has several instructive animations that depict the collisions of objects. Visit the Multimedia Physics Studios.
  
   
• Curriculum/Practice: Several Concept Development worksheets at the Curriculum Corner will be very useful in assisting students in cultivating their understanding, most notably ...
  
  Action-Reaction and Momentum Conservation
  Collision Analysis
  
  Visit the Curriculum Corner.
  
   
• Labwork: 
  Simulations should always support (never supplant) hands-on learning. The Laboratory section of The Physics Classroom website includes several hands-on ideas that complement this Interactive. Three notable lab ideas include ...
  
  Before and After Lab
  Sand Balloon Lab
  Inelastic Collision Analysis
  
  Visit The Laboratory.

 

• Science Reasoning Activities:
  Science classrooms should be filled with reasoning activities. There is one related activity in the Momentum and Collisions section of the Science Reasoning Center that will challenge students to employ close reading, data analysis, and logical reasoning. The activities are named ...
  
  Collisions
  
  Visit the Science Reasoning Center.

The Physics Classroom would like to extend a special thanks to Nerd Island Studios for the creation of this HTML5 Interactive. Visit their website (http://www.nerdislandstudios.com) to see more great stuff by Nerd Island Studios.