Name ___________________ General Physics I Date __________

Conservation of Momentum Lab

Purpose: To look at whether, or not, momentum is a conserved quantity, like matter, we will use a
simulation at explorelearning.com.

Go to explorelearning.com and enroll in:

LFQGPFZFHL
Launch the “Air Track” simulation.

1) Turn on the “Show numerical data” for both Gliders (Air tracks have metal “gliders” that
float above the track).
2) Turn on the “Show velocity vectors”, Show momentum vectors”, and the “Show
total momentum.”
3) To create a “bounce” set the Elasticity to 1, to create a “stick” set the elasticity to 0.
4) Adjust the mass to match the tables provided. Maximum mass is 3 kg, so choose 1 kg for “m”, 2
kg for “2m”, 3kg for “3m”.
5) You can change the boxes’ positions by dragging them, so that they don’t move off the screen
before you can pause the motion.
6) Using the situations specified by the three left columns on the attached tables fill out
the attached tables. The first situation would look like this:
Name ___________________ General Physics I Date __________
0.00 0.00 -5.00 -5.00 -5.00 -5.00 -5.00 0.00 0.00 -5.00
5.00 5.00 0.00 0.00 5.00 0.00 0.00 5.00 5.00 5.00

0.00 0.00 -5.00 -5.00 -5.00 -2.50 -2.50 -2.50 -2.50 -5.00

5.00 15.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 3.75 11.25 3.75 3.75 15.00

5.00 5.00 0.00 0.00 5.00 1.67 1.67 1.67 3.33 5.00

0.00 0.00 -5.00 -10.00 -10.00 -6.67 -6.67 -1.67 -3.33 -10.00

0.00 0.00 -5.00 -15.00 -15.00 -7.50 -7.50 -2.50 -7.50 15.00

5.00 5.00 -5.00 -5.00 0.00 -5.00 -5.00 5.00 5.00 0.00

5.00 5.00 -5.00 -5.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2.00 2.00 -3.00 -9.00 -7.00 -1.75 -1.75 -1.75 -5.25 -7.00
Date I Physics General
Name
__________
___________________
0.00 0.00 -5.00 12.50 12.50 -5.00 -5.00 0.00 0.00 12.50
5.00 12.50 0.00 0.00 12.50 0.00 0.00 5.00 12.50 12.50

0.00 0.00 -5.00 12.50 12.50 -2.50 3.13 -2.50 3.13 6.26

5.00 37.50 0.00 0.00 37.50 3.75 21.09 3.75 7.03 28.12

5.00 12.50 0.00 0.00 12.50 1.67 1.39 1.67 2.78 4.17

0.00 0.00 -5.00 25.00 25.00 -6.67 22.22 -1.67 2.78 25.00

0.00 0.00 -5.00 37.50 37.50 -7.50 28.13 -2.50 9.38 37.50

5.00 12.50 -5.00 12.50 25.00 -5.00 12.50 5.00 12.50 25.00

5.00 12.50 -5.00 12.50 25.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2.00 2.00 -3.00 13.50 15.00 -1.75 1.53 -1.75 4.59 6.12
Date I Physics General
Name
__________
___________________
Name ___________________ General Physics I Date __________

Analyze the data collected to determine what quantities are conserved in ALL the collisions:

Quantity Conserved in ALL collisions Mass

Yes / No Velocity Yes / No Momentum Yes /
No Kinetic Energy Yes / No

In what situations is Kinetic Energy conserved? _________________________

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