How do Newton's laws apply to collisions?

Newton's laws apply to collisions by explaining the motion of objects before, during and after the collision.

When two objects collide, the first law states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion with a constant velocity unless acted upon by a net external force. This means that if two objects collide and there are no external forces acting on them, the total momentum of the system will remain constant.

The second law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. During a collision, the force acting on the objects is equal and opposite, which causes a change in momentum. This change in momentum is directly proportional to the force applied and the time it is applied for.

The third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. During a collision, the forces acting on the objects are equal and opposite, which means that the momentum of the system is conserved.

Overall, Newton's laws provide a framework for understanding the motion of objects during a collision. By analysing the forces and momentum involved, we can predict the outcome of a collision and understand how it affects the motion of the objects involved.