Impacts

Forces > Forces and motions > Impacts 

Impacts are phenomena during which two or more bodies or particles collide. Impacts occur in every scale of our universe (from comments impacting the Earth to elementary particle collisions) and they are all governed by the same principles, such as the conservation of momentum and the conservation of energy.

Connection to Big Idea about energy: The kinetic energy of an object is transferred into heat and sound energy upon its impact with another object.

Connection to Big Idea about the universe: Impacts occur all throughout the Universe in every scale. Ones we see most commonly are asteroid impacts in the Solar System. Collisions also play an important role in the accretion process to form planetary cores and terrestrial planets.

Connection to Big Idea about particles: In order for chemical reactions to occur, reactant particles must collide with each other at high energies. For much higher particle energies collisions are able to lead to nuclear reactions (fusion or fission).

Connection to Big Idea about Earth: There are many impact craters on Earth’s surface that remain from previous impact events. One of these includes the Chicxulub crater which is thought to be caused by the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs.

Subjects related: Physics, Environmental Sciences

Age ranges: 13-14,14-15,16-17,17-18