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An extension to that well known experiment which demonstrates the conservation of momentum and energy. Click on the arrow at bottom left to get the simulation started. You can then alter the positions of the balls and the positions from where they are suspended.
Please enable Java for an interactive construction (with Cinderella).

Software/Applets used on this page

Cinderella
Uses Cinderella interactive geometry

Glossary

conservation of momentum

the total momentum before the collision equals the total momentum after the collision

energy

A scalar quantity associated with an object or system. Heat, light and sound are examples.

momentum

the product of the mass of an object and its velocity, p=mv.

Full Glossary List

This question appears in the following syllabi:

SyllabusModuleSectionTopicExam Year
AQA A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)M1DynamicsCollisions-
AQA AS Further Maths 2017MechanicsMomentum and CollisionsCollisions-
AQA AS/A2 Further Maths 2017MechanicsMomentum and CollisionsCollisions-
CCEA A-Level (NI)M1DynamicsCollisions-
Edexcel A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)M1DynamicsCollisions-
Edexcel AS Further Maths 2017Further Mechanics 1Momentum and ImpulseCollisions-
Edexcel AS/A2 Further Maths 2017Further Mechanics 1Momentum and ImpulseCollisions-
OCR A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)M1DynamicsCollisions-
OCR AS Further Maths 2017MechanicsImpulse and MomentumCollisions-
OCR MEI AS Further Maths 2017Mechanics AMomentum and ImpulseCollisions-
OCR-MEI A-Level (UK - Pre-2017)M2DynamicsCollisions-
Pre-U A-Level (UK)MechDynamicsCollisions-
Universal (all site questions)DDynamicsCollisions-
WJEC A-Level (Wales)M1DynamicsCollisions-