UIUC Physics Lecture Demo: Glancing Collisions

UIUC Physics
Lecture Demonstration
Database

Demo # 250

Glancing Collisions

ID # 250

Description:

Two magnetic, frictionless (dry ice) pucks are pushed towards each other, while on the gridded table, to cause an elastic or inelastic collision. The lecturer can show how the different incident angles can affect the final trajectories.

Picture of Glancing Collisions

Physics Concept:

Mechanics
Linear Momentum
Collisions in Two Dimensions

The demonstration takes about 1 minute to perform.