Activity#4: Investigating

Momentum

I. OBJECTIVES
 discuss momentum;
 investigate the factors that affect momentum;
 identify the formula of momentum; and
 relate the concepts of momentum in real life situations.

II. MATERIALS
1 meter planck
Rubics cube
Ruler / meterstick
2 toy cars (small and big)
Cartolina
Pentel Pen

III. PROCEDURE

1. Position the planck at 30°. Ask member to hold the planck.

2. Using masking tape and marker, label distances of every 30 cm starting from the lower portion of the
inclined plane up to the other edge of the inclined plane.
3. Place the rubics cube about 10 cm from the foot of the inclined plane. Label this as the rubics cube’s
initial position.
4. Position the small toy car at the 30-cm mark and record the time it takes for the toy car to move down
the inclined plane and hit the rubics cube.
5. Measure how far the rubics cube moved. Record this as the stopping distance.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 while varying only the initial position / distance for 60 cm and 90cm.
7. Do steps 4 to 6, this time using the bigger toy car. Record your data in the table.
 Table 1. Stopping distance and time of the toy cars

Initial Distance (cm) Stopping distance (cm) small Stopping distance (cm) of big
toy car toy car
30
60
90

Guide Questions:
1. Did the two toy vehicles immediately stop as they hit the rubics cube? Describe the distance of the
rubics cube as it was hit by the small and big toy cars.
2. How do the stopping distances of each one change according to the point of release?
3. If momentum is a measure of how difficult it is to stop a moving object, which of the two vehicles had a
greater momentum?

GOODLUCK! ^_^v
One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.
-Michael Korda