Cart Collision & Momentum

Learning objectives

Use the prepared scene to investigate the following physical ideas:

• Linear momentum
• Impulse
• Elastic and inelastic collisions

Available controls

The workspace lets you pause and play the scene, select its objects, edit the starting properties described below, reset the scene, and inspect configured live graph measurements.

1. Select either cart to choose elastic or inelastic contact and edit mass or speed.
2. Press Play to send Cart A into Cart B.
3. Compare the momentum and kinetic-energy traces before and after impact.

Expected observations

• The carts exchange impulse during contact.
• Total momentum is approximately conserved.
• Restitution controls kinetic-energy loss.

Model limitations

The track and carts are idealized two-dimensional bodies. Small numerical and frictional losses can affect measured totals.

Simulation output is educational and approximate. Verify important results with independent calculations or physical measurements.