Experiment: Conservation of
Momentum in Collisions
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is to qualitatively explore
conservation of momentum for elastic and inelastic collisions
Part 1: Elastic Collisions
Theory
When two carts collide with each other,
[Link] the feet on the wack and level it
the total momentum of both carts is
conserved regardless of the type of [Link] the two PAScars on the track
collision. so their magnetic bumpers are
toward each other.
An elastic collision is one in which the carts
bounce off each other with no loss of
[Link] cases A1 through A3 and B1
Kinetic energy. In this experiment, through B3 described below. Draw
magnetic bumpers are used to minimize two diagrams (one for before the
energy loss due to friction during the collision and one for after the
collision. In reality, this “elastic” collision is
slightly inelastic. collision) for each case. In every
diagram, show a velocity vector for
A completely inelastic collision is one in each cart with a length that
which the carts hit and stick to each other.
For this experiment, this is accomplished
approximately represents the
with the hook-and-loop bumpers on the relative speed of the cart
carts.
B. Carts with Unequal Mass
Put two mass bars in one of the PAScars so
A. Carts with Equal Mass that the mass of one PAScar is
approximately three times the mass (3M)
of the other PAScar (IM).
Case A1: Place one cart at rest in the
middle of the track. Give the other cart
Case B1: Place the 3M cart at rest in the
an initial velocity toward the cart at rest.
middle of the track. Give the other cart an
initial velocity toward the cart at rest.
Case A2: Star the carts with one at each
end of the track. Give each cart
Case B2: Place the 1M cart at rest in the
approximately the same velocity toward
middle of the track. Give the 3M cart an
each other.
initial velocity toward the cart at rest.
Case A3: Start both carts at one end of
Case B3: Start the carts with one at each
the track. Give the cart a slow velocity end of the track. Give each cart
and the second cart a faster velocity so approximately the same velocity toward
that the second cart catches the first cart. each other.
Case B4: Start both carts at one end of the
track. Give the first cart a slow velocity and
the second cart a faster velocity so that the
second cart catches the first cart. Do this
for both cases: with the IM cart first and
then for the 3M cart first.
Part Il: Completely Inelastic Collisions
1. Orient the two PAScars so their hook-and-loop bumpers are toward each
other. Push the plunger in all the way so it will not interfere with the collision.
2. Repeat test cases A1 through A3 and B1 through B3 and draw diagrams for
each case.
Questions
1. When two carts having the same mass and the same speed collide and stick
together, they stop. Is momentum conserved?
2. When two carts having the same mass and the same speed collide and bounce
off of each other elastically, what is the final total momentum of the carts?
