Lab 4: Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

Cory Spry

Physics Lab 12:00-1:50

INTRODUCTION:

This lab was about testing the principles of conservation, to get data on momentum, kinetic

energy, initial and final velocities, percent changes and more. This was completed using the

equations listed below:

KE = .5mv2

Which is the kinetic energy of an object by taking half of the mass times velocity squared.

p = mv

Which is the momentum from taking mass times velocity.

RV = Vf - Vi

Which is the relative velocity by taking the final velocity and subtracting the initial velocity.

PE = (kx2)/2

Which is the potential energy when taking the spring constant multiplied by the displacement of

the spring squared and dividing by two.

PE = RKEafter - RKEbefore

Which is the potential energy by taking the kinetic energy after and subtracting the kinetic

energy before (relative KE).

There was no new learned methods, and this lab was useful in learning how potential energy,

velocities, and kinetic energy changes over a collision whether it was elastic, inelastic or

superelastic. This is helpful for physicists in their job area in determining velocities such as a

spaceship and what its potential energy might be or how fast it was going and what it was

currently going.
PROCEDURE:

This experiment required a few things such as a computer, vernier logger pro, two ultrasonic

motion detectors, a track, two PASCar track vehicles and a leveler. The questions that were

trying to be answered were what were the initial and final velocities, the relative velocities before

and after the collision, the momentums for each car, and kinetic energies for each car. These

were then used to get the percent changes in momentums as well as kinetic energies. Each of

these questions were answered starting with the initial and final velocities, which were obtained

using vernier logger, graphs helped get these velocities. Next, the momentums and kinetic

energies of each of the cars were obtained using their masses and the velocities that were gotten

earlier. By multiplying these two together, the momentum was obtained. By multiplying the

mass by the velocity squared and then multiplying by half the kinetic energy was obtained.

Next, the relative velocities for both before and after the collisions were obtained by taking

the two velocities of the cars and adding them together. Percent changes in momentum and

kinetic energy were obtained next by dividing the final momentum/kinetic energy by the initial

momentum/kinetic energy. This was done for the first eight collisions. The ninth collision had

initial and final velocities recorded, which then were used to calculate the relative kinetic

energies before the collisions as well as after the collision. By subtracting the relative kinetic

energy before from after, the potential energy was obtained, from this the spring constant was

obtained by using the fourth equation stated above. All of this was done using two two hundred

and fifty gram weights and two cars whose motions were observed on a computer program

colliding with each other on a track.

RESULTS:

This is the graph for collision 1 obtained for the velocity and position vs time, where the moment

the lines for red and blue cars cross is the time they collide.

Collision Red KEi Red KEf Red Vi Red Vf Red pi Red pf

1 .0000623 9.075 -.0007 m/s -.267 m/s -.1782 -67.978

gm2/s2 gm2/s2 gm/s gm/s

For collision one these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the red car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.
 Collision Blue KEi Blue KEf Blue Vi Blue Vf Blue pi Blue pf

1 9.892 .0184 .278 m/s -.012 m/s 71.168 -3.072

gm2/s2 gm2/s2 gm/s gm/s

For collision one these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the blue car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.

Collision RVbefore RVafter Red % Red % Blue % Blue %

change (p) change change (p) change

(KE) (KE)

1 .2773 m/s -.279 m/s 38,147% 14,566,613% -4.3% .18%

Where the relative velocities were obtained by subtracting both initials and finals. Then the

change in momentum for the red was a 38,147% increase from the original p value and change in

kinetic energy was a 14,566,613 % increase from the initial p value. The change in momentum

for blue was -4.3% of the original value and kinetic energy was .18% of the original value.
This is the graph for collision 2 obtained for the velocity and position vs time, where the moment

the lines for red and blue cars cross is the time they collide.

Collision Red KEi Red KEf Red Vi Red Vf Red pi Red pf

2 .000127 20.777 -.001 m/s -.404 m/s -.2546 -102.858

gm2/s2 gm2/s2 gm/s gm/s

For collision two these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the red car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.
 Collision Blue KEi Blue KEf Blue Vi Blue Vf Blue pi Blue pf

2 29.635 6.096 .280 m/s .127 m/s 211.68 96.012

gm2/s2 gm2/s2 gm/s gm/s

For collision two these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the blue car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.

Collision RVbefore RVafter Red % Red % Blue % Blue %

change (p) change change (p) change

(KE) (KE)

2 .279 m/s -.277 m/s 40,399% 16,598,842 45% 20.5%

Where the relative velocities were obtained by subtracting both initials and finals. Then the

change in momentum for the red was a 40,399% increase from the initial p value and change in

kinetic energy was a 16,598,842% increase from the initial KE value. The change in momentum

for blue was 45% of the initial p value and kinetic energy was 20.5% of the initial KE value.
This is the graph for collision 3 obtained for the velocity and position vs time, where the moment

the lines for red and blue cars are at max is the time they collide.

Collision Red KEi Red KEf Red Vi Red Vf Red pi Red pf

3 18.47 12.55 .381 m/s -.314 m/s 97.0026 -79.94

gm2/s2 gm2/s2 gm/s gm/s

For collision three these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the red car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.
 Collision Blue KEi Blue KEf Blue Vi Blue Vf Blue pi Blue pf

3 18.48 9.82 gm2/s2 .380 m/s -.277 m/s 97.28 gm/s -70.912

gm2/s2 gm/s

For collision three these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the blue car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.

Collision RVbefore RVafter Red % Red % Blue % Blue %

change (p) change change (p) change

(KE) (KE)

3 .761 m/s -.591 m/s -82% 67.9 % -72.896% 53.13%

Where the relative velocities were obtained by subtracting both initials and finals. Then the

change in momentum for the red was -82% of the initial p value and change in kinetic energy

was 67.9% of the initial KE value. The change in momentum for blue was -72.896 % of the

initial p value and kinetic energy was 53.13% of the initial KE value.
This is the graph for collision 4 obtained for the velocity and position vs time, where the moment

the lines for red and blue cars are at max is the time they collide.

Collision Red KEi Red KEf Red Vi Red Vf Red pi Red pf

4 6.5 gm2/s2 19.86 .226 m/s -.395 m/s 57.539 -100.567

gm2/s2 gm/s gm/s

For collision four these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the red car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.
 Collision Blue KEi Blue KEf Blue Vi Blue Vf Blue pi Blue pf

4 18.79 .0015 .223 m/s .002 m/s 168.588 1.512 gm/s

gm2/s2 gm2/s2 gm/s

For collision four these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the blue car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.

Collision RVbefore RVafter Red % Red % Blue % Blue %

change (p) change change (p) change

(KE) (KE)

4 .449 m/s -.393 m/s -174% 305% .89% .0079%

Where the relative velocities were obtained by subtracting both initials and finals. Then the

change in momentum for the red was -174% of the initial p value and change in kinetic energy

was 305% of the initial KE value. The change in momentum for blue was .89% of the initial p

value and kinetic energy was .0079% of the initial KE value.

This is the graph for collision 5 obtained for the velocity and position vs time, where the moment

the lines for red and blue cars cross is the time they collide.

Collision Red KEi Red KEf Red Vi Red Vf Red pi Red pf

5 0 gm2/s2 2.94 gm2/s2 0 m/s -.152 m/s 0 gm/s -38.699

gm/s

For collision five these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the red car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.
 Collision Blue KEi Blue KEf Blue Vi Blue Vf Blue pi Blue pf

5 13.025 2.69 gm2/s2 .319 m/s -.145 m/s 81.664 -37.12

gm2/s2 gm/s gm/s

For collision five these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the blue car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.

Collision RVbefore RVafter Red % Red % Blue % Blue %

change (p) change change (p) change

(KE) (KE)

5 .319 m/s -.299 m/s 0% 0% -45 % 20 %

Where the relative velocities were obtained by subtracting both initials and finals. Then the

change in momentum for the red was 0% of the initial p value and change in kinetic energy was

0% of the initial KE value. The change in momentum for blue was -45% of the initial p value

and kinetic energy was 20% of the initial KE value.

This is the graph for collision 6 obtained for the velocity and position vs time, where the moment

the lines for red and blue cars cross is the time they collide.

Collision Red KEi Red KEf Red Vi Red Vf Red pi Red pf

6 .0005 3.42 gm2/s2 -.002 m/s -.164 m/s -.509 gm/s -41.75

gm2/s2 gm/s

For collision six these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the red car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.
 Collision Blue KEi Blue KEf Blue Vi Blue Vf Blue pi Blue pf

6 21.95 9.3 gm2/s2 .241 m/s .157 m/s 182.19 118.69

gm2/s2 gm/s gm/s

For collision six these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the blue car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.

Collision RVbefore RVafter Red % Red % Blue % Blue %

change (p) change change (p) change

(KE) (KE)

6 .239 m/s -.007 m/s 8200% 684,000% 65 % 42%

Where the relative velocities were obtained by subtracting both initials and finals. Then the

change in momentum for the red was 8200% of the initial p value and change in kinetic energy

was 684,000% of the initial KE value. The change in momentum for blue was 65% of the initial

p value and kinetic energy was 42% of the initial KE value.

This is the graph for collision 7 obtained for the velocity and position vs time, where the moment

the lines for red and blue cars are at max is the time they collide.

Collision Red KEi Red KEf Red Vi Red Vf Red pi Red pf

7 14.54 .0005 .338 m/s -.002 m/s 86.05 gm/s -.509 gm/s

gm2/s2 gm2/s2

For collision seven these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the red car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.
 Collision Blue KEi Blue KEf Blue Vi Blue Vf Blue pi Blue pf

7 16.77 .0001 .362 m/s -.001 m/s 97.67 gm/s -.256 gm/s

gm2/s2 gm2/s2

For collision seven these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the blue car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.

Collision RVbefore RVafter Red % Red % Blue % Blue %

change (p) change change (p) change

(KE) (KE)

7 .7 m/s -.003 m/s -.59% .0034 % -.26% .00059%

Where the relative velocities were obtained by subtracting both initials and finals. Then the

change in momentum for the red was -.59% of the initial p value and change in kinetic energy

was .0034 % of the initial KE value. The change in momentum for blue was -.26% of the initial p

value and kinetic energy was .00059% of the initial KE value.

This is the graph for collision 8 obtained for the velocity and position vs time, where the moment

the lines for red and blue cars separate is the time they collide.

Collision Red KEi Red KEf Red Vi Red Vf Red pi Red pf

8 16.49 5.77 gm2/s2 .360 m/s -.213 m/s 91.65 gm/s -54.22

gm2/s2 gm/s

For collision eight these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the red car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.
 Collision Blue KEi Blue KEf Blue Vi Blue Vf Blue pi Blue pf

8 68.92 16.66 .427 m/s .210 m/s 322.8 gm/s 158.76

gm2/s2 gm2/s2 gm/s

For collision eight these are the initial and final velocities, kinetic energy values and momentum

values for the blue car. These were obtained using the equations for kinetic energy and

momentum.

Collision RVbefore RVafter Red % Red % Blue % Blue %

change (p) change change (p) change

(KE) (KE)

8 .787 m/s -.003 m/s -59% 34.94 % 49.1% 24.17 %

Where the relative velocities were obtained by subtracting both initials and finals. Then the

change in momentum for the red was -59% of the initial p value and change in kinetic energy

was 34.94% of the initial KE value. The change in momentum for blue was 49.1% of the initial p

value and kinetic energy was 24.17 % of the initial KE value.

This is the graph for collision 9 where the dip on the position graph is the time the blue car and

red car collide.

PE RKEbefore RKEafter k x

839.999 gm2/s2 19.971 gm2/s2 859.97 gm2/s2 222.14 g/s2 2.75 cm

Finding the values of RKE by adding both initial velocities and final velocities to get both of the

values, the, subtracting the before value from the after value gives the PE. Then by using the

equation for PE (.5kx2) the value of k can be obtained which was 222.14.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

The elastic collision is where some energy is lost, it is an every day collision, and the

conservation laws for this were somewhat adequately demonstrated as for some of the collisions,

they have almost equal energies, others have totally opposite energies. For an inelastic collision,

two bodies collide with each other and stick together, having kinetic energy loss. This was

adequately demonstrated where most of the percent KE values for collisions 5-9 had a loss of

kinetic energy, but not adequate in collision 6 as it had an increase in KE for the red cart. Super-

elastic collisions where two objects are started out at the same speed, but then one has a spring

where when collided with the other object will have a giant increase in speed. The conservation

laws were demonstrated well in this collision, where after colliding, momentum increased and

kinetic energy increased in the red cart but both decreased in the blue cart.

The conservation of relative speed is where the two velocities of the bodies approaching each

other is the same, this does not work for elastic collisions but does work with inelastic collisions

as some collisions were exampled to have the same approaching velocities, in opposite

directions. For this reason, inelastic collisions work best with this. The super-elastic collision

demonstrates itself as partially elastic because of the deformity after the collision happens, where

the red cart is increased in speed from the collision. Work cannot be calculated from this

experiment as acceleration is not present. The work done can be calculated by finding the

acceleration and multiplying by the mass, which then can be used as force to then multiply by the

displacement to get the work done on each object. The kinetic energy is changed by an equal

amount of the work done, so there is a correlation between the two.

The results tell momentum values, initial and final velocity values, kinetic energy, respective

percentages and more. These results are different from the ideal case, as very small values are
counted as numbers rather than 0 and so the percentages may be very large. For this reason it is

different from the ideal case. The results otherwise are accurate and were calculated carefully.

Any issues performing this lab was due to not counting very small numbers as zero. Other than

this, no issues were had in performing this lab. For this reason, all things were achieved that

needed to be achieved and the lab was completed correctly.