Momentum is usually conserved during a collision if the net external force on a system is zero (or negligible).

A collision where objects bounce off each other, and both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

A collision where objects either stick together or deform, and kinetic energy is not conserved, but momentum is still conserved.

A special type of inelastic collision where objects stick together after colliding.

The point where the system's mass is evenly distributed; the balancing point of an object.

Objects stick together after the collision, kinetic energy is not conserved.

Objects bounce off each other, both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved.

1. Identify the type of collision (elastic or inelastic). 2. Conserve momentum: $p_{initial} = p_{final}$. 3. If elastic, conserve kinetic energy: $KE_{initial} = KE_{final}$. 4. Solve for unknowns.

Use the formula: $x_{cm} = \frac{m_1x_1 + m_2x_2 + ...}{m_1 + m_2 + ...}$ for the x-coordinate, and a similar formula for the y-coordinate.