Finding the result of a collision

[InvisibleMan1]

I am trying to figure out how to correctly model a collision between two objects. My original plan was to get the force of impact and use that to get the result of the collision, but apparently you need the result of collision before you can find the force of impact.

How would I find out what the result of a collision is without the force of impact? Are pre-calculated constants used, like in friction?

 

[Naty1]

One type is Compton scattering:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compton_scattering

Scattering/collisions of subatomic particles is complex.

Or are you interested in big objects, like billiard balls?

You can get some equations for those here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collisions

 

[InvisibleMan1]

Thanks! These were the formulas I was looking for:
v1 = (u1(m1-m2)+2*m2*u2)/(m1+m2)
v2 = (u2(m2-m1)+2*m1*u1)/(m1+m2)

I have another question along these lines, but I'll make a new thread for it.