Loss of Momentum using Hover Disks - Lab

Greg and Megan

Abstract:
This lab was designed and performed in order to find the total kinetic energy
and the conservation of momentum between two objects colliding. To
achieve the data for this, we collided two hover disks over a known and draw
out scale (on the surface below the
disks collision). Furthermore, we set up
a tripod right above the collision to film
it. By doing so, we could find the exact
distance the disks traveled before and
after the collision and the time it took to
travel that distance (camera tells us
exact times). In our collision both
objects are coming towards each other
and upon the collision they stick
together. Consequently, almost all the
momentum was conserved and a lot of the kinetic energy was conserved.

Background Info:
When two objects collide, there are three different types of collisions that
could occur. If the objects bounce off each other cleanly and no distortion of
shape takes place, this is called an elastic collision. Elastic collisions are the
only type of collision in which kinetic energy is conserved. If two objects
bounce off each other when they collide but there is some deforming done,
then the collision is said to be inelastic. Finally, if the two objects collide and
stick together, this is said to be a completely inelastic collision. Although
they are all different, momentum is conserved in all three types of collisions.
Momentum is the product of an objects mass and its velocity. The formulas
for momentum and the conservation of momentum are:

For completely inelastic collisions where the objects stick together

afterwards, this formula can be simplified to:

This lab is the collision of two hover disks that stick together after the
collision. In order to find the loss of momentum, you can use the x and y
components of distance and time to find velocity, and then use the velocities
to calculate the momentum before and after the collision separately. The
difference of these two numbers would be the loss of momentum. If the
collision is perfectly inelastic then there should be no loss in momentum.

Materials:

2 hover disks
Tape (made into a 1 m by 1 m grid with 10 cm portions)
Meter stick
Camera and tripod
3 tables
Electronic balance
Velcro strips

Method:
After gathering all materials, use the meter
sick to accurately measure out a 1 m by 1 m
grid with 10 cm portions on the floor that you
make with the tape. Then set up 3 tables
around (but not over) the grid and put a
tripod with a camera up on these tables so
you get a birds-eye view of the grid. Adjust
the distance and focus of the camera so that
the whole grid can be seen clearly. Next,
attach Velcro strips around the sides of the 2
hover disks, and use an electronic balance to find the mass of each of them.
Have 2 people on each side of the grid, make sure the camera is recording,
and push the hover disks toward each other gently enough so that they are
able to stick together. Use this video and VLC media player to record the
times and distances of the hover disks before and after the collision. This
data will allow to proceed with your calculations and find the loss of
momentum.

Data & Calculations:

Hover
Disk
1

Mass
(kg)

2
1&2

Hover Disk
1
2
1&2

Momentum before
Collision
0.142 kg x m/s

Time
(s)
15.118
16.089
15.378
16.562
17.397
18.045
16.927
18.262

Distance (m) xcomponent

0.40
0.20
0.305
0.30

Distance (m) ycomponent

0.50
0.40
0.50
0.50
0.40
0.30

0.50
0.40

Velocity
0.23 m/s [63.43 N of
W]
0.24 m/s [45.72 S of
W]
0.171 m/s [86.46 S
of W]

Momentum
0.070 kg x m/s

Momentum after
Collision
0.104 kg x m/s

Loss of Momentum

0.072 kg x m/s
0.104 kg x m/s

0.038 kg x m/s

Analysis:
In our Collison, the two hover disks came towards each other at relatively low
speeds. Upon the collision the two disks stuck and moved away. In this
completely inelastic collision, disk one came in at 0.23 m/s [63.43 N of W]
and disk 2 at 0.24 m/s [45.72 S of W]. After the collision they moved
together at 0.171 m/s [86.46 S of W]. Here we can see that allot of kinetic
energy was conserved in the collision. After analyzing the momentum
change before and after the collision there was only a loss of 0.038 kg x m/s.
This data was calculated after slowing down the footage of our collision from
our lab.

Conclusion:
The results from our lab came decently close to our own predictions about
how momentum and kinetic energy will act. After analyzing our results it is
evident that only small amounts of kinetic energy and momentum were lost
before and after the collision. Being that we replicated a completely inelastic
collision, kinetic energy is expected to be lost. These results are also most
likely to be skewed because it is impossible to truly have a closed system. As
for the loss in momentum, this should never occur in any type of collision.
Consequently, the loss in momentum that occurred in our lab was due to our
own errors. Firstly, our judgement of our disks lining up with our scale in our
camera footage has a very high chance of being slightly off. While viewing
the footage it is difficult to line the edges of the disks perfectly with the lines
of the scale. Another source for error is that the combined disks after the
collision were rotating making it difficult to choose good reference points.
Moving forward we could do more trials until we get a better collision (One
that rotates less). This lab helped us gain a solid understanding of how
inelastic collisions work and how we can analyze them.