Air Track


Adjust the mass and velocity of two gliders on a frictionless air track. Measure the velocity, momentum, and kinetic energy of each glider as they approach each other and collide. Collisions can be elastic or inelastic.

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Assessment Questions (5):

  1. Two gliders with the initial velocities and masses shown below hit each other in a perfectly elastic collision (elasticity 1.0). What will be the velocity of glider 2 after the collision?

    Starting scenario from Air Track Gizmo
  2. Glider 1 starts with a mass of 2.4 kg and a velocity of 3.0 m/s. What is Glider 1's starting momentum?
  3. Given the starting conditions shown below and a perfectly elastic collision, what will be the total momentum of both gliders after they collide?

    Starting scenario from Air Track Gizmo
  4. Two balls collide head-on on a table. The first ball has a mass of 0.50 kg and an initial velocity of 12.0 m/s. The second ball has a mass of 0.75 kg and an initial velocity of -16.0 m/s. After the collision, the first ball travels at a velocity of -21.6 m/s. What is the velocity of the second ball after the collision? Assume a perfectly elastic collision and no friction between the balls and the table.
  5. Two gliders collide on an air track. Glider 1 has a mass of 7.0 kg, and glider 2 has a mass of 4.0 kg. Before the collision, glider 1 had a velocity of 2.0 m/s, and glider 2 had a velocity of -5.0 m/s. If the collision is perfectly elastic, what is the total kinetic energy of both gliders after the collision?

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