Collision lab

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Resource ID#: 50959 Primary Type: Virtual Manipulative
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Direct Link: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/collision-lab
Learn more about collisions with the use of a virtual air hockey table. Investigate simple and complex collisions in one and two dimensions.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.

Some of the sample learning goals can be:
  • 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 with 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?

General Information

Subject(s): Science
Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Intended Audience: Educators educators, Students , Parents
Suggested Technology: Computer for Presenter, Computers for Students, Internet Connection, LCD Projector, Adobe Flash Player, Java Plugin
Keywords: Collisions, Momentum, Velocity, elastic
Instructional Component Type(s): Virtual Manipulative
Instructional Design Framework(s): Demonstration, Predict-Explain-Observe-Explain
Resource Collection: Games and Simulations

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