Experiment: To study (i) the law of conservation of linear momentum (ii) the law of

conservation of kinetic energy and (iii) to calculate the coefficient of restitution using one
dimensional collision apparatus of two hanging spheres.

Apparatus: one dimensional collision apparatus using two hanging spheres, a battery and a
tapping key.

Theory: let the meter scale be placed at a distance below the points of suspension O and O’.
Let L be the length of the thread between the points of suspension O and O’ and the center of
oscillation of spheres. The sphere A is now pulled toward the left so that comes in contact with
the electromagnet.

Let its angular displacement be Θ and the position of the thread on the scale is Q1. Vertical
height gained by the sphere A = AN = h =OA-ON =L-L cosΘ = L (2 sin2Θ/2)

h = 2Lsin2Θ/2
Again tanΘ = Q1Q = Q1Q
OQ l
As Q1Q and L are known, the values of Θ can be calculated. Then by substituting the value of Θ
can be calculated.

Potential energy of A in displaced position

Ep = m1gh
When the sphere A is released (by releasing the tap key in the circuit of electromagnet) it comes
down and collide with the sphere B. let the velocity of the sphere A, when comes back to its
initial position be u1. Then the kinetic energy gained by it before colliding with sphere B is given
by
Ek = ½ m1u12
As we assuming that there are no energy losses, the energy is conserved.
½(m1u12) = m1gh
u1 = √2gh
= 2 sinΘ/2 √gL
Let velocity of sphere A after collision with B be v1 ant that of sphere B be v2. Also let the
angular displacement of A after collision = α and the angular displacement of B = β. The position
Q2 of A and P1 of B after collision is noted on the scale.
Tan α = QQ2 = QQ2 and tan β = QP1 = QP1
OQ l O’P l

Now v1 = 2 sinα/2 √gL

v2 = 2 sinβ/2 √gL

From the above results following conclusions can be drawn:

1. Law of conservation of momentum
M1u1 = m1v1 + m2v2
Or m1sinΘ/2 = m1sinα/2 + m2sinβ/2
2. Law of conservation of kinetic energy
1m1u12 = 1m1v12 + 1m2v22
2 2 2
Or m1 (sin Θ/2 – sin2α/2) = m2sin2β/2
2

3. Fraction of kinetic energy transferred by moving sphere A to stationary sphere B

K.E. of B after collision = m2sin2β/2
K.E of A after collision = m1sin2α/2

K.E. of B = 4m2
K.E of A = m1 (1 + m2/m1)
4. Coefficient of restitution: the coefficient of restitution is given by
e = v2 – v1 = v2 – v1 = sinβ/2 – sinα/2
u1 – 0 u1 sinΘ/2

Procedure:
1. Take the two spheres A and B. weigh them and record their masses.
2. Suspend the spheres with light uniform threads of the same length L from the suspension
clamps and see that they are perfectly vertical.
3. Note down the length of threads from the point of suspension O and O’ to the points Q
and P respectively where the threads come parallel to the scale.
4. Also note down the positions of the threads on the scale corresponding to the point Q and
P.
5. Press the tap key to activate the electromagnet. Pull the sphere A to the left and bring it in
contact with the electromagnet. The electromagnet holds the sphere A in the position A1.
Note the position of the suspension thread on the scale at the position P1 where the thread
comes to rest in the position A1 of the sphere A.
6. Release the sphere A by releasing the tap key. Sphere A collide with sphere B and the
two will move in same direction. Note the position Q2 on the scale upto which the thread
A is displaced after the collision. Also note the position P1 of the thread B on the scale
and fond the maximum displacement PP1.
7. With the same value of displacement for the sphere A repeat the experiment at least three
times and find the mean of various displacements of spheres A and B.
8. Adjust the position of electromagnet by moving it forward or backward and repeat the
experiment. The velocity and hence the kinetic energy of the sphere A will change and
therefore the positions of Q1 and as a result that of Q2 and P1 will also change. For each
positions of electromagnet repeat the experiment at least three times.

Observation:
Mass of sphere A, m1 = 27.958g
Mass of sphere B, m2 = 33.689g
Initial position of the thread of A on the scale, Q = 16.4 cm
Initial position of the thread of B on the scale, P = 21.0 cm
Length of the thread from the point of suspension to the scale OQ = O’P = L = 47.5cm
Length of the thread from the scale to the bob = l = 6.8cm
S.No. Reading of scale at Q1 Reading of scale at Q2 Reading of scale at P1

1 26.2 18.0 12.5

2 26.3 17.8 12.4
3 26.2 17.7 12.6
4 26.2 17.9 12.5

S.No. tanΘ=Q1Q/l Tanα=Q2Q/l Tanβ=P1P/l Sin(Θ/2) Sin(α/2) Sin(β/2)

1 0.109 0.063 0.082 0.0543 0.0315 0.0409
2 0.112 0.067 0.084 0.0557 0.0334 0.0419
3 0.109 0.069 0.080 0.0543 0.0344 0.0399
4 0.109 0.065 0.082 0.0543 0.0324 0.0409

Verifications:
For linear momentum conservation
S.No. m1sin(Θ/2) m1sin(α/2) + m2sin(β/2)
1 1.518 0.881 + 1.378 = 2.259
2 1.557 0.934 + 1.412 = 2.346
3 1.518 0.962 + 1.344 = 2.306
4 1.518 0.906 + 1.378 = 2.284
Mean 1.528 2.299

Since the values are not equal so the collision between these two spheres is not elastic.

For kinetic energy conservation

S.No. m1sin2(Θ/2) m1sin2(α/2) + m2sin2(β/2)
1 0.081 0.025 + 0.054 = 0.079
2 0.087 0.027 + 0.057 = 0.084
3 0.081 0.030 + 0.050 = 0.080
4 0.081 0.024+ 0.053 = 0.077
Mean 0.0825 0.0800

Since the values are not equal so it proves that energy is not fully conserved.

For coefficient of restitution

S.No. (Sin(β/2) – sin(α/2))/sin(θ/2) Mean
1 0.173 0.146
2 0.153
3 0.101
4 0.157

Precautions:
1. The ball should strike in the manner so as to have head on collision.
2. The amplitude should be so small so that velocity is directly proportional to the distance.