Name: Catherine Auditor Date Performed: September 14, 2009

Course/Year/ Section:BSRT – RAD 11 Date Submitted: September 23, 2009

Instructor: Ma. Beata B. Mijares

Experiment/Activity No. 11

Conservation of Momentum in Explosion

I. Objectives

• To demonstrate the conservation of momentum for two carts pushing away from each

other.

II. Materials and sit-up Apparatus

• Dynamic Cart with Mass (ME-9430)

• Collision Cart (ME-9454)

• Dynamic Cart Track

• Meter Stick

• Mass Balance

III. Theory of the experiment

In many subfields of physics these days, it is possible to read an entire issue of

a journal without ever encountering an equation involving force or a reference to

Newton's laws of motion. In the last hundred and fifty years, an entirely different

framework has been developed for physics, based on conservation laws.

The new approach is not just preferred because it is in fashion. It applies inside

an atom or near a black hole, where Newton's laws do not. Even in everyday situations

the new approach can be superior. We have already seen how perpetual motion

machines could be designed that were too complex to be easily debunked by Newton's
laws. The beauty of conservation laws is that they tell us something must remain the

same, regardless of the complexity of the process.

IV. Data and Result

Case # Mass 1 Mass2 X₁ X₂ X₁/X₂ M₂/M₁ % diff.

1 504 489.5 94.5 95 0.99 0.99 0
2 1002.2 489.5 54 100 0.54 0.5 7.69
3 1498 489.5 94.5 95 0.55 0.33 0.5

V. Analysis of Data and Result

VI. Answer to guide question

1. Does the ratio of the distances equal to the ratio of the masses in each of the cases?

In other words, is momentum conserved?

2. When carts of unequal masses push away from each other, which cart has more

momentum?

3. When the carts of unequal masses push away from each other, which cart has more

kinetic energy?
4. Is the starting position dependent on which cart has its plunger cocked? Why?

VII. Conclusion

VIII. Reference

Reyes, S, Malenab, R, Amante, C. (2004). Physics laboratory Manual in

Mechanics, Energy and Thermodynamics. Mandaluyong City. National Book

Store.
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