Name Kenneth Bagayas, Paris Grp No.

2 Grp Name
Carbonell, Gabrielle Sabijon

PHYS 10.02 Section D-Q4 Date performed: 5/18/21 Date Submitted 5/20/21

Conservation of Momentum

Introduction:

Momentum is a physical quantity that indicates how much motion is taking place, and in
what direction. More precisely, the momentum of a body is the product of its mass and
velocity:
𝒑 = 𝑚𝒗
where 𝒑 is the momentum of the body, 𝑚 is its mass, and 𝒗 is its velocity. For
example, a 1,000-kg car heading 20 m/s north has momentum 20,000 kg m/s to the
north.
In collisions, the total momentum of the colliding objects is the same after the collision
as it was before the collision, as long as no net external force acts on the objects during
the collision. This is called the law of conservation of momentum. For example,
suppose a car with a momentum of 20,000 kg m/s east collides with a truck that has a
momentum of 20,000 kg m/s west. Because the initial momenta (plural of momentum)
of the vehicles are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, their total momentum is
initially zero. One possibility is that, upon collision, both vehicles come to a full stop, so
that they both have zero momentum after collision, and their total momentum is also
zero.
Another quantity that describes motion is kinetic energy. The kinetic energy K of a
body is

For example, a 1,000-kg car moving at 20 m/s in any direction has a kinetic energy of
(½)(1000 kg)(20 m/s)2 = 200,000 J = 200 kJ.
Although momentum is conserved in collisions, kinetic energy need not be. If the total
kinetic energy of the colliding objects is the same before and after the collision, the
collision is said to be elastic. However, if the kinetic energy after the collision is less
than it was before the collision, the collision is said to be inelastic. A special kind of
inelastic collision, a perfectly inelastic collision, occurs when the colliding objects stick
together and move as one body after the collision.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this experiment, you will be able to
● define and differentiate between momentum and kinetic energy;
● apply the concepts of momentum and kinetic energy to analyze data pertaining
to collisions;
● describe and differentiate between inelastic and elastic collisions, qualitatively and;
quantitatively;
● describe how the masses of colliding objects affect their velocities after collision;
and identify applications of collision analysis or the law of conservation of
momentum in daily life or in your field of interest
Materials:

Two low-friction carts with barriers Cart track

Set of masses Two motion sensors
LabPro interface Windows PC with Logger Pro

Procedure:

Watch this video for a demonstration of the experiment in the lab.

https://youtu.be/Y9uA0RApLC0
The setup consists of two carts on a nearly frictionless track. On each end of the track,
there is a motion sensor that tracks the position and velocity of the cart nearest it.
The motion sensors are connected to a LabPro interface, which enables them to send
their data to a computer, and the program Logger Pro plots these data to produce
graphs like the one shown below.
From the graphs, the velocities of the carts before and after the collision can be read.
However, in this version of the experiment, the graph reading has been done for you,
and you are already provided with the carts’ velocities; this should allow you to focus
more on the analysis of the data.
The carts are equipped with mechanisms for demonstrating different types of collisions:
®️
1. One end of each cart has Velcro , so that when these ends of the carts face
each other, they stick together after the collision. This type of collision is
completely inelastic. Three types of inelastic collisions are demonstrated in the
video:
a. A moving cart colliding with a stationary cart of equal mass;
b. A moving light cart colliding with a stationary heavy cart of equal mass;
c. A moving heavy cart colliding with a stationary light cart of equal mass.
2. The other end of each cart is magnetic, so that these ends of the carts repel each
other. When these ends of the carts are made to collide, the effect is that they do
not touch at all, and they conserve kinetic energy. Therefore, these collisions are
elastic. In the video, three different types of elastic collisions are demonstrated,
analogous to the three inelastic collisions.
®️
The Velcro end of each cart also has a spring, and a button on top of the cart to
release the spring. If the carts are initially stuck together, and the spring is then
released, it will push the carts apart vigorously. This type of interaction is similar to an
explosion, and also conserves momentum. In the video, this “collision” is demonstrated
in two scenarios, one where the carts have equal masses, and one where the carts
have unequal masses.
Data:

Table 1. Momenta and kinetic energies of the carts in different collision scenarios.

Initial Initial Final Final

Mass of Mass of velocity velocity velocity velocity
Collision scenario
cart 1 (kg) cart 2 (kg) of cart 1 of cart 2 of cart 1 of cart 2
(m/s) (m/s) (m/s) (m/s)
1. Moving cart
colliding
completely
inelastically 0.750 0.750 0.34 0 0.17 0.17
with a cart of
equal mass
at
rest
2. Moving light
cart colliding
completely
inelastically 0.750 2.250 0.47 0 0.11 0.11
with a
stationary
heavy cart
3. Moving heavy
cart colliding
completely
inelastically 2.250 0.750 0.32 0 0.24 0.24
with a
stationary
light
cart
4. Moving cart
colliding
elastically with 0.750 0.750 0.34 0 0.01 0.33
a cart of equal
mass at rest
5. Moving light
cart colliding
elastically with 0.750 2.250 0.34 0 −0.17 0.16
a stationary
heavy cart
6. Moving heavy
cart colliding
elastically with 2.250 0.750 0.29 0 0.14 0.42
a stationary
light cart
7. Carts of equal
mass initially at
rest, then jolted 0.750 0.750 0 0 −0.35 0.38
into motion by
internal forces
8. Carts of
unequal
masses initially
at rest, then 2.250 0.750 0 0 −0.15 0.47
jolted into
motion by
internal forces

Work Sheet

I. Use the formulas for momentum and kinetic energy to fill in Table 2 completely.
(10 pts)
Table 2

Initial total Final total Initial total Final total

momentum momentum kinetic energy kinetic energy
Collision scenario of the of the of the two-cart of the two-cart
two-cart two-cart system (J) system (J)
system (kg system (kg
m/s) m/s)
1. Moving cart 0.26 kg m/s 0.26 kg m/s 0.04 J 0.02 J
colliding
inelastically
with a cart of
equal mass
at rest
2. Moving light 0.35 kg m/s 0.33 kg m/s 0.08 J 0.01 J
cart colliding
inelastically
with a
stationary
heavy cart
3. Moving heavy 0.72 kg m/s 0.72 kg m/s 0.12 J 0.09 J
cart colliding
completely with
a stationary
light cart
4. Moving cart 0.26 kg m/s 0.26 kg m/s 0.04 J 0.04 J
colliding
elastically with
a cart of equal
mass at rest
5. Moving light 0.26 kg m/s 0.23 kg m/s 0.04 J 0.02 J
cart colliding
elastically with
a stationary
heavy cart
6. Moving heavy 0.65 kg m/s 0.63 kg m/s 0.09 J 0.09 J
cart colliding
elastically with
a stationary
light cart
7. Carts of equal 0 kg m/s 0.02 kg m/s 0J 0.10 J
mass initially at
rest, then jolted
into motion by
internal forces
8. Carts of 0 kg m/s 0.02 kg m/s 0J 0.11 J
unequal
masses
initially at rest,
then jolted into
motion by
internal forces
 I. Guide Questions for Discussion:

1. Is momentum conserved in each collision scenario? Do you expect momentum to

be conserved in each scenario? (4 pts)

In all the scenarios, the momenta of the cart systems are conserved. The
differences between the initial and final momentum of some cart systems is most likely due
to rounding off and the use of significant figures when solving using the formulas for
momentum and kinetic energy. However, these discrepancies are very small and still
should be applied in the conservation of momentum. And this is factual because it is stated
in the Law of Conservation of Momentum that momentum is expected not to change
whether it is an elastic or inelastic collision since momentum is only transferred to another
object if not kept.

2. Is kinetic energy conserved in each collision scenario? Do you expect kinetic

energy to be conserved in each scenario? (4 pts)

In the scenarios with inelastic collisions, kinetic energy is not conserved.

Meanwhile, elastic collisions show no loss of kinetic energy (except for some small
discrepancies that may be caused by rounding off and significant figures). It is
expected that elastic collisions will conserve kinetic energy because, although not
perfectly, the bouncing off of the carts help keep but distribute the same energy.
Meanwhile, inelastic collisions are not supposed to conserve kinetic energy
because it is converted to a different energy like heat upon impact.

3. Discuss the similarities and differences between collisions with different cart
masses (light bumping into heavy vs. heavy bumping into light vs. equal masses).
(4 pts)

The thing that the collisions of different cart masses have in common is the effects of
the conservation of momentum for both types of collisions and kinetic energy for elastic
collisions. Whether the masses of carts are equal, one heavier or one lighter, the laws of
conservation of momentum and kinetic energy apply regardless of mass. The only thing
that differs from the results of different masses is the gravity of the results. The closer the
masses of the two carts are to each other, the more symmetrical the results are.
Meanwhile, the greater the difference between the masses, the less symmetrical the results
are and that the effects are less noticeable compared to the equal masses.
 4. Discuss, qualitatively and quantitatively, the similarities and differences between
completely inelastic collisions, elastic collisions, and “explosions,” based on
observations from the video and analysis of the collision data. (4 pts)

For inelastic collisions, the final kinetic energy always results in a lower value
compared to the initial value. The carts always resulted in a slower velocity compared to the
initial velocity at the start. But for elastic collisions, kinetic energy was conserved, with
smaller discrepancies when the mass of both carts were equal. Two carts of equal mass
retain the same momentum and kinetic energy, especially in elastic collisions. Explosions,
on the other hand, have similar results in conservation of kinetic energy. But if carts of
unequal mass are involved, the heavier cart moves slower compared to the lighter one.

5. Identify and discuss an application of collision analysis or the law of conservation

of momentum in everyday life or in your field of interest. (4 pts)

The concept of momentum can also be demonstrated through the use of firearms.
When a bullet is fired from a gun, it’s velocity is very fast. But because of the heavier mass
of the gun itself, the kick-back or recoil that is felt on the gun is considerably weak
compared to the bullet’s velocity. This is because of the inverse proportionality of mass and
velocity in the conservation of momentum.