2D Collisions

This interactive simulator explores 2D Collisions in Classical Mechanics. Billiard-ball style collisions with adjustable angles. Use the controls to change the scenario; watch the visualization and any graphs or readouts to connect the model with lectures, labs, and homework.

Who it's for: Best once you already know the basic definitions and want to build intuition. Typical context: Classical Mechanics.

Key terms

  • collisions
  • 2d collisions
  • mechanics
  • classical

Live graphs

How it works

Two smooth disks on a frictionless rectangular table. Collisions resolve along the normal with coefficient of restitution e; walls are elastic. Momentum is conserved; kinetic energy is conserved only when e = 1 and only ball–ball collisions matter.

Key equations

j = −(1+e)(v₁−v₂)·n̂ / (1/m₁ + 1/m₂),   vᵢ′ = vᵢ ± (j/mᵢ)n̂

n̂ points from ball 1 to ball 2 along the line of centers.