Physics: Conservation of Momentum Exploration

Objectives

• Students will use an animation to explore the concept of momentum.
• Students will develop an understanding how mass affects velocity.
• Students will compare the relationship between the mass of two objects and their velocities to further understand conservation of Momentum.

Vocabulary

• mass
• velocity
• force
• Newtons
• momentum

About the Lesson

This lesson involves students animating two masses, observing their velocities, and comparing the products of the mass and velocity of each cart to one another.
As a result, students will:

• Develop an understanding that the product of mass and velocity, i.e., momentum, for each cart is the same.