Graphical Method of Teaching Elementary Collisions Available to Purchase

A graphical method of teaching elementary collisions is explained. The traditional method consists of an introduction to the conservation laws of linear momentum and energy followed by a treatment of two-body collisions with a few special cases as examples. The new method yields universal solutions to head-on collision problems with the target at rest by the use of parameters and graphical analysis at a mathematical level that students can understand. The time required for classroom presentation is little more than that of the traditional method. The author concludes that the graphical method is better than the traditional method because of increased student interest and comprehension. The results suggest an experiment utilizing a linear air track or similar apparatus.