For K-12 Students · Collision Analyzer
Collision Analyzer for a trebuchet launch
Built for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework. Simulate a trebuchet launch live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.
Elastic CollisionsLive
momentum & energy conservation
Controls
Presets
Balls collide with impulse-based physics. At restitution 1, kinetic energy is conserved; below 1, collisions are inelastic and energy drains away.
Data Inspector
Balls12
Total KE0.00e+0
Collisionselastic
Governing equation
Reading this result: With restitution 1 every bounce is perfectly elastic, so the total kinetic energy of all 12 balls stays constant forever — a 2D model of an ideal gas.
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is this good for k-12 students?
- Yes — this version of "Collision Analyzer for a trebuchet launch" is framed for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.