AP Physics Interactive
Crash Carts
Explore momentum, kinetic energy, and collision types by launching two carts into each other on a frictionless track.
Simulation
Canvas animationWaiting for collision
Physics Results
Compare the system before and after the collision.
Elastic collision
Before collision
Cart A initial velocity+2.00 m/s
Cart B initial velocity-1.00 m/s
Total momentum1.00 kg·m/s
Total kinetic energy2.50 J
After collision
Cart A final velocity-1.00 m/s
Cart B final velocity+2.00 m/s
Total momentum1.00 kg·m/s
Total kinetic energy2.50 J
Momentum check
Conserved
Total momentum should stay constant.
Kinetic energy change
0.00 J
Should be conserved for elastic collisions.
Center of mass
vCM = 0.50 m/s
Constant if there is no external force.
Interpretation
In a perfectly elastic collision, both total momentum and total kinetic energy are conserved.