MUIDS PHYSICS 11 LAB EXPERIMENT PROJECT (QUARTER 2)

Lab 6 Conservation of Momentum

Group No. 5

Members:
1. Phattarnan, Varrathyarom
2. Bhudharhita, Teinwan
3. Nichanan, Suteeduangsamorn

Date Performed: December 11, 2015

Date Submitted: December 16, 2015

Ms. Susan Alulod

Teacher

Objective:
The objective of this is to show and perform to student the Law of Conservation
Momentum in order for the student to understand more about it.
Background:
Conservation of Momentum is defines that if theres absence of outside force then
momentum would be constant. Accordingly, it could be assumes the initial momentum and
the final momentum should remain the same if theres no external force acted upon it. As an
illustration, a collision between a small bug and a truck with no external force act upon it.
Moreover, in this particular experiment, were going to demonstrate and collect the data from
both Inelastic collision and elastic collision.
Material:
1. 1 low friction Vernier Track
2. 2 Vernier cart
3. Mass Scale
4. Stop Watch
Procedure:
1. Measure the masses of the carts by weighing them and record them in your data
table. Label the carts as 1 and 2.
2. Make sure the low friction Vernier Track is levelled (instructed by the lab tech)
3. For inelastic collision, we need to place both of the carts on the track and make sure
that the the Velcro hooks of one cart and Velcro loops of the other are facing each
other which would make the cart stick together after collision.
4. Place cart 1 at 80 cm position and cart 2 at 100 cm position.
5. Push cart 2 forward while cart 1 is at rest and use the stopwatch to time the results
twice: 1.since cart2 starts moving from 100 cm position until it reaches 80 cm
position and 2.after they stick together at 80 cm position and continue moving, time
when they reach another 20 cm
6. For elastic collision, place both of the carts on the track and make sure that the
magnet side of each cart are facing each other which would make both of the cart
resist to stick together during collision.
7. Repeat step 4 and 5 (Time for elastic collision is also twice: 1.since cart2 starts to
move until it reaches reach 80 cm position and 2. after that cart 2 will stop, time when
cart 1 moves and reaches another 20 cm)
8. Record the data
9. Calculate the velocity and the percentage of error from the possibility of having a
disturbance of external force such as air

Set Up:
Inelastic Collision

Elastic Collision

Results:
Momentum before collision = Momentum after collision
A. Inelastic Collision:
Momentum before collision = M1V10 + M2V20
Momentum after collision = (M1 + M2) Vf
B. Elastic Collision:
Momentum before collision = M1V10 + M2V20
Momentum after collision = M1V1f + M2V2f

Table: Inelastic Collision Data

Trails

Before Collision

After Collision

Cart 2

Cart 1 + Cart 2

Cart 1

Initial
Velocit
y

Distanc
e

Time
before
Collision

Initial
Velocit
y

0 cm/s

20 cm

1.2 s

16.67
cm/s

Distance Time after

Collision

20 cm

2.5 s

Final
Velocity

8 cm/s

Momentum before collision = (629.40*0) + (636.50*16.67)

= 10,610.46 g cm/s
Momentum after collision

= (629.40+636.50)*8
= 10,127.20 g cm/s

% Difference = 2(10,610.46-10,127.20) *100

10,610.246+19,127.20
= 4.66%

Table: Elastic Collision Data

Trails

Before Collision
Cart 1
Initial
Velocity

After Collision

Cart 2
Distanc
e

Time
before
Collisio
n

Cart 1
Initial
Velocit
y

Distanc
e

Time
after
Collisio
n

Cart 2
Final
Velocit
y

Final
Velocit
y

0 cm/s

20 cm

1.4 s

14.29
cm/s

20 cm

1.5 s

13.33
cm/s

0 cm/s

Momentum before collision = (629.40*0) + (636.50*14.29)

= 9,095.59 g cm/s
Momentum after collision

= (629.40*13.33) + (636.50*0)
= 8,389.90 g cm/s

% Difference = 2(9,095.59-8,389.90) *100

9,095.59+8,389.90
= 8.07%

Analysis of Results and Conclusion:

Inelastic collision occurs when both cart 1 and 2 became the same system as it stuck
together after the collision. For the reason that there is a difference of 4.66% in conserving
the momentum. It can be assume that therere still some external factors, air resistance and
friction, that might causes some imperfections to this experiment. Anyhow, the result is still
acceptable to be use for this experiment because it is still under 10% change in momentum.
Moreover, elastic collision occurs when both the two carts remain separately apart
from each other after collision. Nevertheless, theres still presence of external factors that
affect the system in the experiment, still it might cause a slight more difference than the first
one, inelastic collision, by resulting the difference of 8.07%. Though the result is still under
the condition of 10% change in momentum and that is acceptable. As a result, it can be
concluded from the experiment that theres still momentum that is still considered to be
conserve in this elastic collision experiment.