Perfectly inelastic collisions
Power and collisions · Physics
Simple pendulum
Interactive 3DRelease the bob and watch true small-angle SHM. The period depends only on the string length.
Controls
Drag the sliders or type a value — the simulation updates live.
m
0.3m2m
°
5°45°
Study notes
Example: A 2 kg cart moving at 3 m/s collides with a stationary 4 kg cart and they stick together. Step 1: Initial momentum = 2*3 + 4*0 = 6 kg·m/s. Step 2: Combined mass = 2+4 = 6 kg. Step 3: Final velocity = 6/6 = 1 m/s. Step 4: Initial KE = 0.5*2*9 = 9 J. Final KE = 0.5*6*1 = 3 J. Energy lost = 6 J.