Curriculum Portal

infoWhy this? One-dimensional collisions provide a manageable setting for using momentum conservation and Newton's law of restitution to predict motion after impact. Analysing changes in kinetic energy distinguishes perfectly elastic collisions from those in which kinetic energy is transferred to other forms, strengthening our understanding of mechanical models.

scheduleWhy now? This applies the momentum, impulse, and energy methods established in the preceding unit to interactions between particles and impacts with fixed surfaces. Restricting motion to one line allows us to secure sign conventions and collision techniques before extending them to two dimensions in Year 13.