This applet illustrates elastic
collisions of two point masses. The user enters the ratio
of the target mass to the projectile mass (fixed at 1 in demo)
and the ratio of the projectile's final speed to its initial
speed, and the applet animates the collision in the target rest
frame and in the center of mass frame. The position of the center
of mass is indicated by the light gray line in the target rest
frame.
Instructions for use
- Enter the ratio of the target mass to the projectile mass
using the scrollbar provided (fixed at 1 in demo).
- Enter the ratio of the projectile's final speed to its
initial speed using the scrollbar provided. The order
of the first two steps is not important.
- Click "launch".
- Repeat as often as desired. To clear the screen, click
"clear".
- You may leave this page and return - the applet will
suspend operation while you are away. To quit the applet,
either destroy your browser window or quit your browser.