MUIDS PHYSICS 11 LAB EXPERIMENT PROJECT (QUARTER 2)

Lab 6 Conservation of Momentum

Group No 1

Members:

1. Samatchaya, Jiracharoenwong
2. Kamonwan, Emong
3. Sutinee, Khahapana

Date Performed: December 17, 2015

Date Submitted: January 4, 2015

Ms. Susan Alulod

Teacher

Objective:

The objective of this experiment is to demonstrate the Law of

Conservation of Momentum.

Background:
The Law of Conservation of Momentum states that without an external
force, the momentum in collisions during before and after would be equal.
There are two main types of collision which is Inelastic and Elastic Collision.
In Inelastic Collision, colliding objects rebound with lasting deformation or the
generation of heat, while on the other hand, the colliding objects in Elastic
Collision become distorted or generate heat. In this experiment, we will test
whether the Law of Conservation of Momentum works for the Verneir cart
collision on the Verneir track.

Materials:
-

1 low friction Vernier Track

2 Vernier cart
Mass Scale
Stopwatch

Procedure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.
7.
8.
9.

Label Cart A and Cart B to avoid confusion.

Weigh both carts (Cart A & Cart B) and record the numbers.
Make sure the Vernier Track is steady.
Place Cart A and Cart B on the Vernier track keeping the distance
between each carts with 20 cm.
For Inelastic Collision, push Cart B towards Cart A and use a stopwatch
to record the time when Cart B hits Cart A (attach each other) and
when it continue to reach 20 cm.
When performing Elastic Collision, set the side of the carts to prevent it
from sticking or connecting together.
For Elastic Collsion, push Cart B towards Cart A and use a stopwatch to
record the time when it hits each other and the time it reaches 20 cm.
Calculate the momentum of the cart, including the velocity and the
percentage of error that may occurred due to external foce.
Record all the results and data.

Draw the set up (computerized):

Inelastic Collision:

Elastic Collision:

Results:
Formula:
Momentum before collision = Momentum after collision
Inelastic Collision:
Momentum before collision = M1V1o + M2V2o
Momentum after collision = (M1 + M2) Vf
Elastic Collision:
Momentum before collision = M1V10 + M2V2o
Momentum after collision = M1V1f + M2V2f
Cart A = 637.01 g

Distance between two carts = 20

Cart B = 629.96 g

Inelastic Collision:

Trials

Time
(s)

Time
(s)

Velocity
(cm/s)

1st

2nd

VAo

Velocit Velocit Velocit

y
y
y
(cm/s) (cm/s) (cm/s)

Momentu
m
(g.cm/s)

Momentu
m
(g.cm/s)

VBo

VAf

VBf

Po

Pf

Differen
ce
(%)

0.5

1.1

40

18

25198.4

22805.5

9.97

0.4

1.0

50

20

31498.0

25339.4

10.84

0.5

1.1

40

18

25198.4

22805.5

9.97

Momentu
m
(g.cm/s)

Momentu
m
(g.cm/s)

Differen
ce
(%)

Elastic Collsion:

Trials

Time
(s)

Time
(s)

Velocity
(cm/s)

1st

2nd

VAo

Velocit Velocit Velocit

y
y
y
(cm/s) (cm/s) (cm/s)
VBo

VAf

VBf

Pb

Pa

0.77

0.82

26

24.4

16562.3

15371.0

7.46

0.74

0.9

27

25

17199.3

15749.0

8.80

0.69

0.76

28.99

26.32

18466.9

16580.5

10.77

Calculation:
Inelastic Collision:

1st Trial : Difference (%) = 2[ (637.01 x 0 + 629.96 x 40 ) (1266.97 x 18) ]

(637.01 x 0 +
629.96 x 40) + (1266.97 x 18)
Difference (%) = 9.97 %

2nd Trial : Difference (%) = 2[ (637.01 x 0 + 629.96 x 50 ) (1266.97 x 20) ]

(637.01 x 0 +
629.96 x 50) + (1266.97 x 20)
Difference (%) = 10.84 %

3rd Trail : Difference (%) = 2[ (637.01 x 0 + 629.96 x 40 ) (1266.97 x 18) ]

(637.01 x 0 +
629.96 x 40) + (1266.97 x 18)
Difference (%) = 9.97 %

Elastic Collision:

1st Trial : Difference (%) = 2[ (637.01 x 26 + 629.96 x 0 ) (637.018 x 0 + 629.96 x

24.4) ]
(637.01 x 26 + 629.96 x 0) + (637.018 x 0 + 629.96 x
24.4)
Difference (%) = 7.46 %

2nd Trial : Difference (%) = 2[ (637.01 x 27 + 629.96 x 0 ) (637.018 x 0 + 629.96 x

25) ]
(637.01 x 27 + 629.96 x 0) + (637.018 x 0 + 629.96 x 25)
Difference (%) = 8.80%

3rd Trail : Difference (%) = 2[ (637.01 x 28.99 + 629.96 x 0 ) (637.018 x 0 +

629.96 x 26.32) ]
(637.01 x 28.99 + 629.96 x 0) + (637.018 x 0 + 629.96 x
26.32)
Difference (%) = 10.77 %

Analysis of results and conclusion:

Inelastic Collision occurs when two carts attach together. In this case, the
mass of the carts will increase while the speed will decrease. According to the
experiment, the three trials clearly show that the carts speed was decreased due to
some external forces such as friction or air resistance. The result was quite satisfied
and the difference in percentage of momentum for the three trials in Inelastic
Collision is 9.97% , 10.84% , and 9.97% .
For Elastic Collsion, it was different from Inelastic Collision because the two
carts didnt attach together, but remains separated. Based on the experiment, in
Elastic Collision, the speed of the carts will increase due to some external force. The
result was as highly satisfied because it shows a clear difference between the two
types of collisions: Inelastic Collision and Elastic Collision. To conclude, the
difference in percentage of momentum for three trials in Elastic Collsion is 7.46% ,
8.80% , and 10.77 % .

it can be concluded that the momentum is still considered conserve in this elastic collision
experiment.