Beginning Math and Physics for Game Programmers

Chapter 13. Momentum and Collisions

KEY TOPICS

• Collision with a Stationary Object

• Momentum and Impulse Defined

• Modeling Collisions

• Visualization Experience

So far, we've talked about how individual objects move around in a simulated world. The next step is to look at how these objects interact. What happens when two billiard balls collide or when one player jumps up and kicks another? So far, we've only discussed how to model the motion of an isolated object. By now, you might be wondering how to model these types of interactions between objects.

First, we'll examine collisions where one object is stationary, and then we'll look more closely at the effects that two moving objects have on each other when they come into contact.