Blow Dart Collides with Cart - Key

Step 1: Getting to know the video

○ Play around with the video figuring out what the frame counter is, what the
measurements are on the video, and how to go frame by frame.

How many frames does it take the dart to go from 0 cm to 10 cm?

3 frames

How much time did it take the dart to go from 0 cm to 10 cm?

0.0125 seconds

Step 2: Equations
● Write down an equation that we can use with the video to find each
○ Velocity v = d/t
○ Momentum p = mv
○ conservation of momentum m1v1 + m2v2 = v(m1 + m2)

Step 3: Calculations

1. Calculate the velocity of the dart before the collision.

8 m/s

2. Calculate the velocity of the dart after the collision.

.17 m/s

3. Calculate the velocity of the cart before the collision.

0 m/s

4. Calculate the velocity of the cart after the collision.

.17 m/s

5. Calculate the momentum of the dart before the collision.

.0488 kg*m/s

6. Calculate the momentum of the dart/cart after the collision.

.045 kg*m/s

Step 4: Analysis

7. Do your answers from 5 and 6 suggest conservation of momentum?

Why/Why not? If not, where do you think momentum was lost or gained?
Since the numbers are very close they do suggest conservation of
momentum. The numbers, however, are not exact thus not all momentum
is conserved. This is a real world example and some of the momentum is
lost due to the friction between the table and the cart.