Momentum & Elastic Collisions – AP Physics 1 | ShowMeClass

💥

Momentum & Elastic Collisions

AP Physics 1 · Unit 4: Linear Momentum

Key Objectives

Observe that total momentum $\Sigma \vec{p}$ is ALWAYS conserved in isolated collisions.

Compare perfect elastic ($e=1$) vs totally inelastic ($e=0$) outcomes.

Watch how momentum $\vec{p}$ vectors scale proportionally to mass and velocity.

Equations

Vectors

→ Momentum $\vec{p}$ (Purple)
→ Velocity $\vec{v}$ (Cyan)

Momentum Collisions Energy AP Physics 1

Time ($t$)0.0 s

StateApproaching

Total Momentum ($\Sigma p$)

Total Kinetic Energy ($\Sigma K$)

Elasticity ($e$) 1.0 (Elastic)

e=0 is Perfectly Inelastic (Stick together).

Mass 1 (Left / Green)

Mass ($m_1$) 1.0 kg

Velocity ($v_{1i}$) 3.0 m/s

Mass 2 (Right / Rose)

Mass ($m_2$) 2.0 kg

Velocity ($v_{2i}$) -1.5 m/s