Final answer:
To resolve collisions, especially in two-object scenarios, one uses conservation of momentum in a closed system or, for two-dimensional cases like billiard balls, resolves motion into components along perpendicular axes without considering rotation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing methods to resolve collisions, particularly two-object collisions, a key strategy is to utilize the conservation of momentum principle. This principle is most applicable when dealing with a closed system with no external force. In a more elaborate scenario, like a billiard ball game representing two-dimensional collisions, the strategy extends to choosing a convenient coordinate system and resolving the motion into x and y components, which effectively turns the problem into a pair of one-dimensional problems to be solved simultaneously.
Importantly, to avoid complications in two-dimensional collisions that may involve rotation, we simplify by considering the collisions of point masses, which implies that the objects are structureless particles that cannot rotate or spin.
Therefore, when presented with a collision problem, ensure that you have a closed system with no net external force, and apply momentum conservation to analyze the outcomes of the collision.