PhET Collision Lab

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This interactive simulation lets students investigate simple collisions in one dimension or more complex scenarios. The simpler experiment explores the meaning of elastic vs. inelastic collisions, while the 2D model integrates the Law of Conservation of Momentum to solve problems. Users can adjust the mass of the two balls and set the elasticity from zero to 100%. The website also provides lesson plans developed by high school teachers specifically to accompany the Collision Lab simulation.

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/collision-lab

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Classical Mechanics - Linear Momentum = Collisions in One Dimension = Collisions in Two Dimensions = Impulse - Motion in Two Dimensions = Center of Mass - Newton's Third Law = Action/Reaction Education Practices - Active Learning = Modeling - Technology = Computers	- High School - Lower Undergraduate	- Instructional Material = Activity = Interactive Simulation

Intended Users	Formats	Ratings
- Learners	- text/html	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Access Rights:: Free access
License:: This material is released under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license.
Rights Holder:: PhET
Keywords:: collision model, collision simulation, collisions, elastic collision, impulse, inelastic collision
Record Creator:: Metadata instance created September 6, 2015 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: February 22, 2025 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update when Cataloged:: October 31, 2010
Other Collections:: The Physics Front

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Next Generation Science Standards

Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)

Forces and Motion (PS2.A)

Momentum is defined for a particular frame of reference; it is the mass times the velocity of the object. (9-12)

Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)

Systems and System Models (K-12)

When investigating or describing a system, the boundaries and initial conditions of the system need to be defined and their inputs and outputs analyzed and described using models. (9-12)

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)

Developing and Using Models (K-12)

Modeling in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to using, synthesizing, and developing models to predict and show relationships among variables between systems and their components in the natural and designed worlds. (9-12)
- Develop and use a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system. (9-12)

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking (5-12)

Mathematical and computational thinking at the 9–12 level builds on K–8 and progresses to using algebraic thinking and analysis, a range of linear and nonlinear functions including trigonometric functions, exponentials and logarithms, and computational tools for statistical analysis to analyze, represent, and model data. Simple computational simulations are created and used based on mathematical models of basic assumptions. (9-12)
- Create a computational model or simulation of a phenomenon, designed device, process, or system. (9-12)

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4F. Motion

9-12: 4F/H2. All motion is relative to whatever frame of reference is chosen, for there is no motionless frame from which to judge all motion.
9-12: 4F/H4. Whenever one thing exerts a force on another, an equal amount of force is exerted back on it.
9-12: 4F/H8. Any object maintains a constant speed and direction of motion unless an unbalanced outside force acts on it.

11. Common Themes

11B. Models

9-12: 11B/H1a. A mathematical model uses rules and relationships to describe and predict objects and events in the real world.

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Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=13740">PhET. PhET Collision Lab. Boulder: PhET, October 31, 2010.</a>

AIP Format

(PhET, Boulder, 2010), WWW Document, (https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/collision-lab).

AJP/PRST-PER

PhET Collision Lab (PhET, Boulder, 2010), <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/collision-lab>.

APA Format

PhET Collision Lab. (2010, October 31). Retrieved May 1, 2025, from PhET: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/collision-lab

Chicago Format

PhET. PhET Collision Lab. Boulder: PhET, October 31, 2010. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/collision-lab (accessed 1 May 2025).

MLA Format

PhET Collision Lab. Boulder: PhET, 2010. 31 Oct. 2010. 1 May 2025 <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/collision-lab>.

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@misc{ Title = {PhET Collision Lab}, Publisher = {PhET}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {1 May 2025}, Month = {October 31, 2010}, Year = {2010} }

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%T PhET Collision Lab %D October 31, 2010 %I PhET %C Boulder %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/collision-lab %O text/html

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%0 Electronic Source %D October 31, 2010 %T PhET Collision Lab %I PhET %V 2025 %N 1 May 2025 %8 October 31, 2010 %9 text/html %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/collision-lab

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