STUDY ON ELASTIC AND

INELASTIC COLLISION USING

PHET SIMULATION

A project work
Submitted to the Department of Physics, St.Xavier’s College,
Maitighar, in the partial fulfilment for the requirement of NEB +2
science in physics

By
Nitesh Kumar Yadav
Class: 11
Section: D
Roll No.: 024neb440
Date:4th March, 2025
 RECOMMENDATION

It is to certify that Mr. Nitesh Kumar Yadav has successfully carried out the project
entitled “STUDY ON ELASTIC AND INELASTIC COLLISION USING PHET
SIMULATION” under my guidance and supervision.

I recommend this project for the +2 degree of NEB.

…………………………….
Advisor
Mr. Ram Sundar Matang
Department of Physics
St. Xavier’s College
Maitighar, Kathmandu, Nepal

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I sincerely express my gratitude to my physics teacher, Mr. Ram Sundar Matang, for
their valuable guidance throughout this project. I am also grateful to St. Xavier’s
College for providing a great learning environment. Additionally, I would like to
thank my friends and family for their constant support and encouragement.

Lastly, I extend my appreciation to the PhET Interactive Simulations team for

developing such an interactive and engaging platform , allowing students like me to
explore physics concept in a virtual yet realistic manner.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

RECOMMENDATION 1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 2
INTRODUCTION 4
OBJECTIVES 7
METHODOLOGY 8
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 9
CONCLUSION 12
FUTURE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT 13
REFERENCES 14

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 INTRODUCTION

Concept of Collision

Collision is the mutual interaction between two particles for a short interval of time so
that their momentum and kinetic energy [K.E] may change. In common language, a
collision is said to occur when objects crash into each other.
In general, we define a collision as an isolated event in which two or more colliding
bodies exert relatively strong forces on each other for a relatively short time. Actual
physical contact between them is not necessary for a collision. For example, while
playing carroms, we might have noticed the effect of a striker on coins when they
both collide.

Collisions are broadly classified into:

 Elastic Collisions – The collision in which both momentum and kinetic
energy are conserved.
 Inelastic Collisions – The collision in which momentum is conserved, but
kinetic energy is not. In an inelastic collision;
Kinetic Energy before collision = Kinetic Energy after collision + Energy
converted into other forms

Elastic Collision in One Dimension

If the colliding bodies move along the same straight path before and after the collision
,it is said to be 1-D collision. As already discussed in the elastic collisions the internal
kinetic energy is conserved so is the momentum. Non conservative force is absent in
this type of collision. Elastic collisions can be achieved only with particles like
microscopic particles like electrons, protons or neutrons. It follows the law of
conservation of momentum. i.e,

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 m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2

Since the kinetic energy is conserved in the elastic collision we have:

1/2 m1u21 + 1/2 m2u22 = 1/2 m1v21 + 1/2 m2v22
m1u21 + m2u22 = m1v21 + m2v22 (Factoring out 1/2)
m1u21– m1v21 = m2v22 – m2u22
m1(u21– v21)= m2(v22 – u22)
m1(u1+v1 ) (u1– v1 )= m2 (v2 + u2)(v2 – u2)
Using the conservation of momentum equation,
m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
m1u1-m1v1 = m2v2 -m2u2
Hence,
m1(u1-v1) = m2(v2 -u2)
Now dividing the two equations:
m1(u1+v1) (u1– v1) = m2 (v2 + u2)(v2 – u2) / m1(u1-v1 ) = m2(v2 -u2 )
We get,
u1+v1 = v2 + u2
Now,
v1 = v2 + u2– u1 …………. (i)

When we use this value of v1 in equation of conservation momentum we get :

v2 = [2 m1 u1 + u2 (m2-m1)] / (m1 + m2 )
Now using the value of v2 in equation (i)
v1 = [2 m1 u1 + u2 (m2-m1)] / (m1 + m2) + u2– u1
v1 = [2 m1 u1 + u2 (m2-m1) + u2 (m1 + m2 ) – u1(m1 + m2 )] / (m1 + m2 )

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We finally get,
v1 = [2m2 u2 + u1 ( m1 – m2)] / (m1 +m2 )
When masses of both the bodies are equal then generally after collision, these masses
exchange their velocities.
v1 = u2 and v2 = u1

Inelastic Collision in One Dimension.

In inelastic one dimensional collision, the colliding masses stick together and move in
the same direction at same speeds. The momentum is conserved and Kinetic energy is
changed to different forms of energies. For it, the equation for conservation of
momentum is :
m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1 + m2) v
Since both the objects stick, we take final velocity after the collision as v. Now v shall
be:
v= m1u1 + m2u2/ m1 + m2
The kinetic energy lost during the phenomenon shall be:
E = 1/2 m1u22 – 1/2 (m1 + m2) v2

Use of PhET Simulation

To study these collisions, we use the PhET Interactive Simulation: Collisioon lab.
With this tool, we can explore the difficult concepts of Physics, also this tool can be
one of the best online learning experience to the students.

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 OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this study are:

 To understand the concepts and difference between elastic and inelastic
collisions.
 To understand conservation of momentum in elastic and inelastic collisions.
 To verify conservation of kinetic energy in elastic collisions.

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 METHODOLOGY
Materials Required
 A Computer or Laptop
 An internet Access
 PhETCollisionLabSimulation(Link:https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/
collision-lab/latest/collision-lab_all.html)
 Principle of physics (Textbook)

Procedure
Step 1: Opening the PhET Simulation
1. The PhET Collision Lab online platform was visited.
2. The "Intro" mode was selected to start the experiment.
Step 2: Conducting the Elastic Collision Experiment
1. Two objects of different masses and initial velocities were set.
2. Momentum vectors were enabled to track movement.
3. Their final velocities after collision were observed and recorded.
4. The total kinetic energy before and after the collision was compared.
Step 3: Conducting the Inelastic Collision Experiment
1. The objects were configured to stick together after collision (perfectly
inelastic collision).
2. The total momentum before and after collision was compared.
3. The kinetic energy loss due to heat and deformation was analyzed.

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 RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

From PhET Simulation,

Elastic collision
 Before collision

K.E.= 0.75 J
Net momentum = 2 Kgms-1

 During collision

Net K.E.= 0.75 J

Net momentum = 2kgms-1

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 After collision

K.E.= 0.75 J
Net momentum = 2 Kgms-1
Inelastic collision
 Before collision

K.E.= 4.5 J
Net momentum = 5 Kgms-1

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  After collision

K.E.= 4.17 J
Net momentum = 5 Kgms-1

Observation Table

Colli- Mas Mas Initia Initia Initial Initial Final Final

sion s of s of l l Momen Kineti Momen Kineti Remarks
type Obj Obj Velo- Velo- tum c tum c
1 2 city city (kg·m/s Energ (kg·m/s Energ
(kg) (kg) of of ) y (J) ) y (J)
Obj 1 Obj 2
(m/s) (m/s)
Elasti Momentum
c 1.00 2.00 1.00 0.50 2.00 0.75 2.00 0.75 conserved,
Collis Kinetic
- Energy
ion conserved
In- Momentu
Elasti 2.00 1.00 2.00 1.00 5.00 4.50 5.00 4.17 m
c conserved,
Collis Kinetic
ion Energy not
conserved

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In both cases, the total momentum before and after the collision was equal, which
verifies the law of conservation of momentum.

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On the other hand, In elastic collisions, kinetic energy was conserved, while in
inelastic collisions, some kinetic energy was converted into heat energy.

CONCLUSION
From the study of elastic and inelastic collisions using the PhET simulation, the
conclusion is drawn that in both elastic and inelastic collisions, the total momentum
before and after collision remains conserved, confirming the principle of conservation
of momentum. In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are
conserved, meaning no kinetic energy is lost. Whereas in an inelastic collision, while
momentum is conserved, kinetic energy is not conserved, as some of it is transformed
into other forms like heat, sound, or deformation.
Elastic collisions are observed in atomic and subatomic particle interactions (e.g.,
gas). Inelastic collisions are common in real-life situations like car crashes, where
energy is lost due to deformation and heat.

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 FUTURE SCOPE THE PROJECT
This study can be expanded in many ways to make it more useful and realistic.
One way is to extend it to two-dimensional collisions, which will help us
understand more complex movements, like in real-life accidents or sports. Another
improvement is adding friction to the simulation, making it more accurate for
real-world scenarios.
We can also use this research to study vehicle crashes and sports physics,
helping engineers design safer cars and better sports equipment. 3D simulations
can give us an even clearer picture of how collisions happen in space, engineering,
and everyday life.
Additionally, AI and machine learning can be used to predict and optimize
collision outcomes, which would be useful in robotics and material science. By
comparing simulation results with real-life experiments using high-speed
cameras, we can improve our understanding and make better safety equipment
like helmets and airbags.
Overall, this study lays the foundation for better technology, improved safety, and
a deeper understanding of how collisions work in the real world.

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 REFERENCES
[1] Prof. P. Harihar, Principle of Physics
[2] PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder.
[3] SXC physics notecopy
[4] Wikipedia.in

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