Understanding Momentum: Collisions and Mass Effects in
School
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
PHYSICS 1651
Subject
Physics
Date
Dec 12, 2024
Pages
4
Uploaded by CorporalMaskPelican47
Table ATrail 1Before collision G1/ G2After collision G1+G2M (kg)0.5k 0.5kg1.3 kgV (m/s)3m/s 0m/s1.15 kgP (kg)(m/s)1.5kg m/s 0kg m/s1.5 kg m/sTable BTrail 1Before collision G1/G2After CollisionG1+G2M (kg)0.5 kg 0.8kg1.3 kgV (m/s)3 m/s 0 m/s1.15 m/sP (kg)(m/s)1.5 kg m/s 0kg m/s1.15 kg m/sTable CTrail 1Before collision G1/G2After CollisionG1+G2M (kg)0.5 kg 1.2 kg1.7 kgV (m/s)3 m/s 0 m/s0.88 m/sP (kg)(m/s)1.5 kg m/s 0kg m/s1.5 kg m/sScenario B: Both Gliders MovingTable DTrail 1Before collision G1/G2After CollisionG1+G2M (kg)0.5 kg 0.5kg1 kg
V (m/s)3 m/s -3 m/s0 m/sP (kg)(m/s)1.5 kg m/s -2.0 kg m/s0 kg m/sTable ETrail 1Before collision G1/G2After CollisionG1+G2M (kg)0.5 kg 0.8kg1.3 kgV (m/s)3 m/s -3 m/s-0.69 m/sP (kg)(m/s)1.5 kg m/s -2.0 kg m/s-.90 kg m/sTable FTrail 1Before collision G1/G2After CollisionG1+G2M (kg)0.5 kg 1.2 kg1.7 kgV (m/s)3 m/s -3 m/s-1.24 m/sP (kg)(m/s)1.5 kg m/s -3.6 kg m/s-2.1 kg m/sQualitative:Table GComparison of Momentum before and after the CollisionsIn each trial, the momentum before the collisions were the same as after the collision.In the first three trials (one glide moving and one stationary), the momentum remained at 1.5 kg m/s (the same). This is in accordance with the Law of Conservation ofMomentum which states that momentum is neither gained nor lost during a collision.During scenario B, the momentum was also the same before and after. In table D the total initial momentum (before the collision) was 0 kg m/s and after the collision, the momentum remained the same at 0 kg m/s.
Table HComparison of Velocities before and after the CollisionsAs the masses for the gliders were increased, the velocities were noted to have decreased. This is because of the inverse relationship between velocity and mass.For example in Table B (scenario A one glider moving, one stationary) the velocities initially (before the collision) were (G1) 3 m/s and (G2) 0 m/s. After the collision (G1+G2) the velocity for the gliders was 1.15 m/s. This trend also persisted in scenario B when both the gliders were moving. For example in Table D, the initial velocities were(G1) 3 ad (G2) -3 but decreased to ) after the collision (G1+G2).Part 4: Analysis and ConclusionAnalysis:The relationship between the variables were discovered through this experiment. The dependent variable (velocity) was noted to have decreased when the independent variable (mass) increased. The velocity decreased when the mass increased because of their inverse relationship according to the conservation law. The data depicts this trend of a decrease in velocity when the mass is gradually increased. For example in Table D,the initial velocities were (G1) 3 ad (G2) -3 but decreased to ) after the collision(G1+G2). In table E the initial velocities were (G1) 3m/s and (G2) -3 m/s and after the collision, the velocity decreased to -0.69 m/s. The gliders were placed on a surface with no friction, but if that factor were manipulated, the experiment itself would drastically change. Further experimentation could include adding the same amount of friction to the trials while keeping other variables controlled to explore how friction could change the glider's momentum.Conclusion:The hypothesis: “If the total mass of the two colliding carts is increased, then the final velocity of the carts decrease, because mass and velocity determine momentum and momentum is conserved during an inelastic collision.“ was supported by the findings in this experiment. The data presented in the tables above were clearly in accordance to the hypothesis. Because of an increase in mass, the velocity of the cart was shown to decrease because of the conservation law. In any situation, conservation of momentum stay as it is which means that momentum will always be conserved (M1 * V1 = M2 *V2,). According to former equation if mass will increase and become M2 >> M1,velocity simultaneously decrease from V2<< V1. Possible sources of error could include the need to produce more accurate numbers of measurement by not rounding and recording exact figures. Increased number of trials could also have been performed to ensure the validity of the experiment. The factors mentioned above, shouldn't have affected the results of the experiment too heavily because overall data did show a trendin
direction and helped to produce a conclusion. In order to further explore this problem more trials could be completed with notion to reduce possible human error. In further trials, more force intervals could be added (lower masses and higher masses) with their velocities monitored in order to more accurately draw a conclusion from the research question