Collisions in 2D & 3D

These flashcards cover key concepts related to collisions in two and three dimensions, focusing on the conservation of momentum and energy.

Conservation of Linear Momentum

A principle stating that the total linear momentum of a closed system remains constant if no external forces act on it.

Elastic Collisions

Collisions in which both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved.

Kinetic Energy

The energy possessed by an object due to its motion, calculated as rac{1}{2}mv^2.

Vector

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction, such as momentum.

Scalar Quantity

A quantity that has magnitude only and no direction, such as kinetic energy.

Momentum Conservation in 3D

In three dimensions, momentum conservation involves summing the momentum vectors across all axes (x, y, z).

Unknowns in Collision Equations

In elastic collisions, using conservation laws allows for solving up to 4 unknowns in 3D scenarios.