  In this paper, we study small-N gravitational dynamics involving up to six
objects. We perform a large suite of numerical scattering experiments involving
single, binary, and triple stars. This is done using the FEWBODY numerical
scattering code, which we have upgraded to treat encounters involving triple
stars. We focus on outcomes that result in direct physical collisions between
stars, within the low angular momentum and high absolute orbital energy regime.
The dependence of the collision probability on the number of objects involved
in the interaction, N, is found for fixed total energy and angular momentum.
Our results are consistent with a collision probability that increases
approximately as N^2. Interestingly, this is also what is expected from the
mean free path approximation in the limit of very large N. A more thorough
exploration of parameter space will be required in future studies to fully
explore this potentially intriguing connection. This study is meant as a first
step in an on-going effort to extend our understanding of small-N collisional
dynamics beyond the three- and four-body problems and into the realm of
larger-N.
