Collision Lab
Topics
- Collisions
- Momentum
- Velocity
Description
Use an air hockey table to investigate simple collisions in 1D and more complex collisions in 2D. Experiment with the number of discs, masses, and initial conditions. Vary the elasticity and see how the total momentum and kinetic energy changes during collisions.
Sample Learning Goals
- Draw "before-and-after" pictures of collisions.
- Construct momentum vector representations of "before-and-after" collisions.
- Apply law of conservation of momentum to solve problems of collisions.
- Explain why energy is not conserved and varies in some collisions.
- Determine the change in mechanical energy in collisions of varying “elasticity”.
- What does “elasticity” mean?
Version 2.01
Keywords
Teacher Tips
Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Title | Authors | Level | Type | Subject | ||
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Algebra-based Physics Semester one lessons, clicker questions, and schedule in pdf (Inquiry Based) | Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
HW Lab Demo |
Physics | ||
Collision Lab : Introduction to One Dimension collisions | Patricia Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
Lab HW |
Physics | ||
Collision Lab Basics | Brett Moser | MS HS |
Guided Lab |
Physics | ||
PhET Collision Lab | Wendy Adams | HS UG-Intro |
Lab | |||
PhET Collisions | Brent Olyowski | HS | Lab | |||
PhET Sims Aligned to the Chemistry Curriculum | Julia Chamberlain | UG-Intro HS |
Other | Chemistry | ||
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS | Trish Loeblein | HS | Other | Physics Chemistry Biology Earth Science |
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How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? | Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | Earth Science Physics Biology Chemistry |
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Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics | Jaya Ramchandani | HS | Other | Physics | ||
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | Physics Biology Chemistry |
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Virtual Momentum Activity | Jessica Leiken | UG-Intro HS |
Lab | Physics | ||
Collaborative Assessment - Randomize Assessment | John Weisenfeld | HS | MC | Physics | ||
PhET Simulations Aligned for AP Physics C | Roberta Tanner | HS | Other | Physics | ||
Laboratório de Colisão - Conservação de momento (3a lei de Newton) | Tiago Almeida | HS | Lab | Physics | ||
Momentum Lab | Jim Hewitt | MS | Lab | Physics | ||
Analyzing 2D Collisions | Aubry Farenholtz | HS UG-Intro |
Lab Demo Guided |
Physics | ||
Discovering the conservation of momentum | Jonathan Carlson | HS | Guided Lab HW |
Physics | ||
Virtual Collisions Lab | Danny Diamond | HS | HW Lab Guided |
Physics | ||
Collision Into Activity | Tim Woolgar | HS MS |
Guided | Physics | ||
Level 1 - Momentum Lab by Stephen N. Clontz, M. Ed. | Stephen N. Clontz, M. Ed. | MS HS K-5 |
Demo Guided Lab HW |
Physics Other |
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2D Collision Lab | Amy Hayes | HS | Lab | |||
Collision Lab | Elizabeth Hobbs | UG-Intro | Lab | |||
Momentum and Collisions | Peter Malecki | HS | Lab | Physics | ||
Collisions | Jeremy Thomas | K-5 | Lab | |||
Collision investigation lab | Steve Banasiak - HF physics team | HS | Lab | |||
Momentum and Center of Mass | Sarah Stanhope | HS | Lab | |||
Momentum Lab | Stephanie Givinsky | HS | Lab | |||
Lembar Kerja Siswa Berbasis Simulation Based Laboratory | Suritno Fayanto, Wisnu Yudha Prawira, Syahlan | HS UG-Intro Grad |
HW Lab |
Physics | ||
Estática (Atividades) nos OA's do PhET | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | UG-Intro MS HS Other |
Demo Other HW Discuss Guided |
Other Earth Science Physics |
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Dinâmica (Atividades) nos OA's do PhET | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | Grad UG-Adv MS HS Other |
Lab Other HW Guided |
Other Physics Earth Science |
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Pêndulo de Newton no "Collision Lab" | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | HS MS |
Guided HW |
Other Mathematics Physics |
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Colisões Elásticas no "Collision Lab" | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | MS HS Other |
Other Guided HW |
Other Physics Earth Science |
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Colisões Inelásticas no "Collision Lab" | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | Other MS HS |
HW Guided Other |
Physics Mathematics Other |
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Momento Linear no "Collision Lab" | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | MS HS Other |
Other Guided HW |
Physics Earth Science Mathematics Other |
Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
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Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7/8.1/10 Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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OS X 10.9.5 or later Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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Macromedia Flash 9 or later
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Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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