Conservation of Momentum Calculator

In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved — no energy is lost. In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved but some kinetic energy is converted to other forms (heat, sound, deformation). A perfectly inelastic collision is one where the objects stick together, losing the maximum possible kinetic energy.

Only if the total momentum is zero (equal masses moving at equal speeds in opposite directions). In a perfectly inelastic collision, they stick together with zero velocity, converting all kinetic energy to other forms. If total momentum is nonzero, some kinetic energy must remain to carry that momentum.

Newton's cradle demonstrates elastic collisions between equal masses. When one ball strikes the row, it stops and transfers its momentum and energy to the last ball. The intermediate balls barely move because the collision wave propagates through them via elastic deformation. The result is the characteristic one-in-one-out motion.

Yes. In 2D and 3D, momentum is conserved separately in each direction: $$\Sigma p_x = \text{const}$$, $$\Sigma p_y = \text{const}$$. This calculator handles 1D collisions. For 2D oblique collisions, you need to resolve velocities into components and apply conservation in each direction independently.

Explosions and fragmentations also conserve momentum. If a stationary object breaks into pieces, the total momentum of all fragments must be zero (the initial momentum). Each fragment carries momentum, but the vector sum of all momenta remains unchanged. Energy is added from the explosion, so kinetic energy increases.