PHYSICS CONNECTION
Momentum is conserved in more collisions than kinetic energy
Use momentum to determine the final motion, then compare total kinetic energies to classify the collision. Objects sticking together is a particularly clear inelastic case.
Elastic collision: total Ek before = total Ek after
Follow the reasoning
- Find the velocities using momentum conservation.
- Calculate the sum of kinetic energies for all objects before and after.
- Identify any transfer from kinetic energy to other stores.
OFFICIAL OCR QUESTIONS
Try it in a past paper 3
Open the question, then use its mark scheme to check your work.
Question 14
Identify the velocities after an elastic collision between identical particles.
Question 6
Use light-gate speeds, momentum and kinetic energy to analyse an air-track collision.
Question 2
Find impulse and force, then analyse a head-on elastic puck collision.
A curated collection checked against the question papers and mark schemes; not a complete past-paper catalogue. Links open official OCR PDFs in a new tab.
ORIGINAL PHYSICSUK QUESTIONS
Put the ideas to work
More practice is on its way
No PhysicsUK question linked yet. New eligible questions appear here as the bank grows.
Specification outcomes (3)
- 3.5.2(a) State and apply the principle of conservation of momentum.
- 3.5.2(c) Distinguish between perfectly elastic and inelastic collisions.
- 3.3.2(a) Define and calculate kinetic energy, Ek = ½mv², and derive it from first principles.