Lab 7: Momentum and Collisions
Lab 7: Momentum and Collisions
Embedded Files
Background & Lab Introduction
Background & Lab Introduction
For this lab we were asked to create 3 separate experiments to show the conservation of momentum principle, an elastic collision, and an inelastic collision. Momentum is mass times velocity. The conservation of momentum principle is the fact that the initial momentum of a system is equal to the final momentum of a system. Collisions are when two objects collide. An elastic collision is one that does not deform, conserves kinetic energy, conserves momentum and can have 2 unknowns. An inelastic collision is one that deforms, does not conserve kinetic energy, conserves momentum, and has only 1 unknown.
For this lab we were asked to create 3 separate experiments to show the conservation of momentum principle, an elastic collision, and an inelastic collision. Momentum is mass times velocity. The conservation of momentum principle is the fact that the initial momentum of a system is equal to the final momentum of a system. Collisions are when two objects collide. An elastic collision is one that does not deform, conserves kinetic energy, conserves momentum and can have 2 unknowns. An inelastic collision is one that deforms, does not conserve kinetic energy, conserves momentum, and has only 1 unknown.
Methods
Methods
We started with two metal carts. One weighed 0.518kg and the other weighed 0.507kg. For elastic and inelastic collisions, we did 3 trials. Trial 1 had no added weight. Trial 2 added 0.500 kg. Trial 3 added 1kg. For each trial, one metal car travelled 0.5 meters to collide with the other one. We did 3 trials for elastic collision and 3 trials for inelastic collision.
We started with two metal carts. One weighed 0.518kg and the other weighed 0.507kg. For elastic and inelastic collisions, we did 3 trials. Trial 1 had no added weight. Trial 2 added 0.500 kg. Trial 3 added 1kg. For each trial, one metal car travelled 0.5 meters to collide with the other one. We did 3 trials for elastic collision and 3 trials for inelastic collision.
Elastic Collision: To show an elastic collision, we took two metal carts and pushed one into the other. The carts bounce off of each other and conserve kinetic energy.
Elastic Collision: To show an elastic collision, we took two metal carts and pushed one into the other. The carts bounce off of each other and conserve kinetic energy.
Inelastic Collision: To show an inelastic collision we took two metal carts and put velcro on the sides that meet. When one cart is pushed into the other, they stick together. This causes a loss of kinetic energy.
Inelastic Collision: To show an inelastic collision we took two metal carts and put velcro on the sides that meet. When one cart is pushed into the other, they stick together. This causes a loss of kinetic energy.
Conservation of Momentum Principle: We used the previous trials to show this principle.
Conservation of Momentum Principle: We used the previous trials to show this principle.
Possible Errors: miscalculations and time error
Possible Errors: miscalculations and time error
The image to the left shows the scale we used to measure the carts. The scale measures in grams. However, we converted the numbers to kilograms.
The image to the left shows the set-up of the two carts. One of the weights we used is also shown on the table.
This table shows the different numbers used to calculate the conservation of momentum principle (the next section). To calculate velocity, we used distance divided by time. We used a stopwatch to calculate the times from videos we recorded of each trial.
The Conservation of Momentum Principle
The Conservation of Momentum Principle
The paper to the left shows the conservation of momentum principle for each trial. For each trial, the initial momentum is equal to the final momentum. The equations and individual numbers used are listed.
To show that the initial momentum equals the final momentum, this equation was used: (m1v1o)+(m2v2o)=(m1v1f)+(m2v2f).
Results
Results
After performing separate experiments, the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions is evident. The conservation of momentum principle is one that makes sense and is easy to display. This lab was a great example of momentum systems and the different types of collisions!
After performing separate experiments, the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions is evident. The conservation of momentum principle is one that makes sense and is easy to display. This lab was a great example of momentum systems and the different types of collisions!
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