Basic physics

[JavaGuy4230]

Alright. In my eternally procrastinated quest to build a physics engine for my game, I'm have to relearn some simple physics. I managed to get an A in physics class, and not learn a damn thing at the same time. So anyways, here it is:

A given object, say object A, has a given vector named va1 . Va1's magnitude is A's speed x mass. So for example, object A has a mass of 5 and a speed of 2 for a magnitude of 10 (in some standard units). Object B is standing still, and depending on the situation, has various masses. So its vector, vb1, is 0. When object A collides with object B, there's energy transfer, and I need to know exactly how it works

Now, forget for a moment that there's energy 'lost' in the transfer (i.e. turning into heat, sound, whatever). And for sake of argument, this is a frictionless environment. Finally, don't worry about direction

I know that if both objects are a mass of 5, then when A hits B, something like this happens:
B exerts the force on A that A exerted on B. Therefore, a second vector will be added to A, and A will come to a stop. A second vector will be added to B and B will go up to a speed of 2 so that no energy is lost. If B's mass were 2, then it's speed would go up to 5.

However, B may not be able to exert that much force in A to stop it, and so both objects would keep on moving in the direction A was moving in. Or A might just bounce off B.

This should give you a good idea of what I know. Here's what I want:
Can someone give me a few instances of collision events and explain the machanics to me so I have a good idea of how to make this. I'd greatly appreciate it, and kudos to anyone who read this far.

[Grazza]

This might help: http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/CoefficientofRestitution.html.

I assume you're not talking about collisions in terms of quantum mechanics. ;)

[zark]

Ugh... brings back memories of high school physics. Bad memories of doing badly in the class, but still having fun... weird.

[Fredrik]

JavaGuy4230 said:

And for sake of argument, this is a frictionless environment.

But I assume it accounts for inertia?

[Tobester]

How fucking hard can it be to program equal and opposite reactions!?

[fraggle]

Depends on whether you want an elastic or inelastic collision.

[Fredrik]

If you create a working atomic model and throw in a few billions of atoms then the collisions should work out automatically.

[Julian]

Tokamak.

[Aliotroph?]

Tempted to give a lengthy reply to this but I don't have time for lengthy physics discussions until Wednesday night. :p

[Doom-Child]

Tobester said:

How fucking hard can it be to program equal and opposite reactions!?

Do it.

DC

[Mithrandir]

Shit, this reminds me of how much I should right now be revising a phat load of A-level physics. I've forgotten how momentum works. Although I can recall basic facts to do with the photo-electric effect. Yay me.