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 |
Demo Lab HW |
Physics | ||
Collision Lab : Introduction to One Dimension collisions | Patricia Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
Lab HW |
Physics | ||
Collision Lab Basics | Brett Moser | MS HS |
Lab Guided |
Physics | ||
PhET Collision Lab | Wendy Adams | UG-Intro HS |
Lab | |||
PhET Collisions | Brent Olyowski | HS | Lab | |||
PhET Sims Aligned to the Chemistry Curriculum | Julia Chamberlain | HS UG-Intro |
Other | Chemistry | ||
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS | Trish Loeblein | HS | Other | Chemistry Earth Science Biology Physics |
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How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? | Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | Chemistry Earth Science Physics Biology |
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Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics | Jaya Ramchandani | HS | Other | Physics | ||
Virtual Momentum Activity | Jessica Leiken | UG-Intro HS |
Lab | Physics | ||
Collaborative Assessment - Randomize Assessment | John Weisenfeld | HS | MC | Physics | ||
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | Biology Chemistry Physics |
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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 | UG-Intro HS |
Lab Guided Demo |
Physics | ||
Discovering the conservation of momentum | Jonathan Carlson | HS | Guided HW Lab |
Physics | ||
Virtual Collisions Lab | Danny Diamond | HS | Guided Lab HW |
Physics | ||
Collision Into Activity | Tim Woolgar | MS HS |
Guided | Physics | ||
Level 1 - Momentum Lab by Stephen N. Clontz, M. Ed. | Stephen N. Clontz, M. Ed. | K-5 MS HS |
HW Demo Guided Lab |
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 | Grad UG-Intro HS |
Lab HW |
Physics | ||
Estática (Atividades) nos OA's do PhET | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | UG-Intro Other MS HS |
HW Demo Other Guided Discuss |
Other Earth Science Physics |
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Dinâmica (Atividades) nos OA's do PhET | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | HS UG-Adv Grad Other MS |
HW Other Lab Guided |
Earth Science Physics Other |
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Pêndulo de Newton no "Collision Lab" | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | MS HS |
HW Guided |
Physics Other Mathematics |
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Colisões Elásticas no "Collision Lab" | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | Other HS MS |
Guided HW Other |
Physics Earth Science Other |
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Colisões Inelásticas no "Collision Lab" | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | HS Other MS |
Guided Other HW |
Mathematics Other Physics |
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Momento Linear no "Collision Lab" | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | Other MS HS |
Other HW Guided |
Mathematics Other Earth Science Physics |
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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